Jacki Apel, Director of Communications, March of Dimes South Carolina Chapter, 803-403-8523, japel@marchofdimes.com

Columbia, SC, February 19, 2013 —

Vince Ford, Senior Vice President, Community Health, Palmetto Health will serve as Chair for the 2013 Midlands March for Babies event. Vince is committed to helping reach the event goal of $400,000 to support March of Dimes research and community programs to help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies to begin healthy lives.  March for Babies will take place on April 27, 2013. The location will be announced soon. 

Mr. Ford has been a long time volunteer leader for the March of Dimes, serving on committee and boards, including his current position as Chair of the March of Dimes South Carolina Chapter Board of Directors.

 “I’m serving as the 2013 Chair for March for Babies because I believe if we can give a child a healthy birth, we are making a positive impact on their future quality of life. I challenge Columbia’s businesses and families to join me in raising critical funds so more families will know the joy of having a healthy baby” explains Mr. Ford. “When you participate in March for Babies, you are helping the March of Dimes continue working for stronger, healthier babies in our community and across our state.”  

“We are honored to have the leadership of Vince Ford and the support of the employees of Palmetto Health.” said Anne Genevieve Gallivan, Executive Director of the March of Dimes Midlands Division.  “2013 will mark the 75^th anniversary of the March of Dimes.  More than four million babies are born in the United States each year and the March of Dimes helps each and everyone one through vaccines, research, education and breakthroughs. March for Babies 2013 will be a part of our year long celebration of improving the health of babies.”

The most urgent infant health problem in the U.S. today is premature birth. It affects more than half a million babies each year, with the number growing every day. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities. South Carolina received a “D” on the 2012 Prematurity Report Card released in November, with a prematurity rate of 14.1%--the fourth worst in the United States. The March of Dimes is committed to reducing this toll by funding research to find the answers to premature birth and providing comfort and information to families who are affected. Visit www.marchofdimes.com/prematurity to find out more.

Each year, the South Carolina Chapter of the March of Dimes invests in mission initiatives statewide, including research grants and local community services. Through these program services, the March of Dimes continues working to prevent birth defects and infant death, reduce South Carolina’s premature birth rate, increase access to prenatal care and educate men and women about having healthy babies.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.  Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.