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March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology awarded in Texas

We are pleased to announce that Eric N. Olson, Ph.D., has received the 2013 March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology. Dr. Olson studies the genetic signals that control muscle cell development. He and his colleagues have shown in mice that newborn hearts can regenerate to a surprising degree in the first week after birth. They have also identified a number of proteins and microRNAs that promote regeneration in older hearts. This annual prize, first awarded in 1996 to honor Dr. Jonas Salk, recognizes "investigators whose research has profoundly advanced the science that underlies the understanding of birth defects."

                                               

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March of Dimes gains success in Texas legislature

The bill that will ensure all Texas newborns are screened for Critical Congenital Heart Disease, HB 740 by Rep. Crownover & Sen. Deuell, passed the Senate and will now make its way to the Governor to be signed into law. March of Dimes wants to thank Rep. Crownover & Sen. Deuell for their hard work. You are truly champions for babies!! Read more here: http://bit.ly/10K188X

                                               

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March for Babies scores big with cutout campaign

Our cutout campaign that took place at United Supermarkets, Amigos and Market Street stores raised over $57,000! We are so grateful to these store partners and their patrons for their support in helping Texas moms and babies!

                                                   

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Reliant Energy teams up the March of Dimes

We’re excited about teaming up with Reliant Energy and the amazing savings they have to offer families in Dallas and Houston!

Customers help power healthy babies when they switch to the Reliant BabyPower 12 plan! Reliant will make a $100 donation to the March of Dimes when they switch to the Reliant BabyPower 12 plan. Plus, they will receive a $100 bill credit to help them this summer. And on top of it all, they will get a low fixed electricity price for the coming year.

                                                  

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HB 15 Update

March of Dimes thanks Rep. Lois Kolkhorst for her leadership on HB 15, which establishes NICU and maternal levels of care for Texas hospitals. HB 15 was passed by the Texas House yesterday and now moves to the Texas Senate for consideration. Watch the Fox 7 Austin news segment here: http://bit.ly/Z3bOSL

                                       

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March for Babies and Be a Winner!

All walkers who raise $350* or more online will be entered to win 2 United Airline tickets anywhere in the continental United States. Deadline April 19^th.

$750 or more online will be entered to win a ride along with FedEx driver, Denny Hamlin. Deadline April 28^th.

$1,000 or more are eligible for random selection to attend the March of Dimes Volunteer Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. (Sept. 26–28). Includes travel and 2 nights at the Hyatt Capitol Hill. Deadline June 30^th.

Texas Family Teams who raise $1,000 or more will be entered to win a trip to Washington D.C. to attend the Volunteer Leadership Conference (Sept. 26-28, 2013). Includes 4 United Airline tickets and hotel accommodation at the Hyatt Capitol Hill. Deadline June 30^th.

                                                      

*Incentive offered to Texas walkers only.

Go to marchforbabies.org to get started.

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HB 10 Funding for Medicaid Shortfall for 2013

On March 13, 2013 the Governor signed HB 10 into law. HB 10 contained emergency appropriations funding for various Texas programs including funding for Medicaid & CHIP. During the last legislative session, the Legislature had deferred $4.7 billion in Medicaid funding until January 2013. HB 10 provided this funding so that the pregnant women and newborns in Texas will continue to receive services through the rest of 2013. The March of Dimes played a key role in getting this bill passed, our lobby day volunteers met with all legislative offices including the Governor’s office (pictured) to request support for the passage of this legislation.

                               
                               

On March 13, 2013 the Governor signed HB 10 into law. HB 10 contained emergency appropriations funding for various Texas programs including funding for Medicaid & CHIP. During the last legislative session, the Legislature had deferred $4.7 billion in Medicaid funding until January 2013. HB 10 provided this funding so that the pregnant women and newborns in Texas will continue to receive services through the rest of 2013. The March of Dimes played a key role in getting this bill passed, our lobby day volunteers met with all legislative offices including the Governor’s office (pictured) to request support for the passage of this legislation.                                                              

H-E-B Tear Pad Campaign

H-E-B launches its tearpad fundraising campaign benefitting March of Dimes Texas Chapter and 2013 March for Babies. The campaign, taking place from now until April 1, 2013, offers Texas H-E-B and Central Market customers the opportunity to contribute to the March of Dimes by adding a donation in increments of $1, $3, or $5 to their total grocery bill.

Last year through the March of Dimes tearpad campaign, H-E-B raised more than $310,000 to support March of Dimes March for Babies. With this contribution, along with employee fundraising and sponsorship, H-E-B continues to be the #1 fundraising team in Texas. To locate or find additional information about a participating store, visit heb.com and enter your ZIP code.

H-E-B launches its tearpad fundraising campaign benefitting March of Dimes Texas Chapter and 2013 March for Babies. The campaign, taking place from now until April 1, 2013, offers Texas H-E-B and Central Market customers the opportunity to contribute to the March of Dimes by adding a donation in increments of $1, $3, or $5 to their total grocery bill.Last year through the March of Dimes tearpad campaign, H-E-B raised more than $310,000 to support March of Dimes March for Babies. With this contribution, along with employee fundraising and sponsorship, H-E-B continues to be the #1 fundraising team in Texas. To locate or find additional information about a participating store, visit and enter your ZIP code.

H-E-B launches its tearpad fundraising campaign benefitting March of Dimes Texas Chapter and 2013 March for Babies. The campaign, taking place from now until April 1, 2013, offers Texas H-E-B and Central Market customers the opportunity to contribute to the March of Dimes by adding a donation in increments of $1, $3, or $5 to their total grocery bill.Last year through the March of Dimes tearpad campaign, H-E-B raised more than $310,000 to support March of Dimes March for Babies. With this contribution, along with employee fundraising and sponsorship, H-E-B continues to be the #1 fundraising team in Texas. To locate or find additional information about a participating store, visit and enter your ZIP code.

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Division Highlights

This is just a glimpse of the incredible momentum of the Texas Chapter in 2013. Please join us in congratulating our amazing Texas staff and volunteers for these 1^st quarter successes!

Amarillo
Cultivated partnership with United Supermarkets to run cut-out campaign from April 17-28^th in all 50 of their Texas stores

Austin
Secured $50,000 Presenting Sponsorship from Seton Family of Hospitals—largest in Division history

Bryan/College Station
Secured Maureen and Dr. Craig Steiner, neonatologist at The College Station Medical Center & St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bryan, as 2013 Signature Chefs Chairs

Corpus Christi
Dr. Nirupama Patel continues to be  Corpus Christi’s #1 fundraiser! She raised more than $12,000.00 in 2012.  This year, she is currently at $16,040.00. Talk about being your best for babies!

                                                   

El Paso
Secured Eric Evans, CEO of Providence Memorial Hospital and Sierra Medical Center of El Paso, as 2014 March for Babies Chairman

Houston
The March for Babies walk was cancelled but you can still enjoy some family fun and support Texas moms and babies that still need our help. Our celebration will include games, face painting, bounce houses and Blue Bell Ice Cream. We encourage you to continue your fundraising and join us at the “last rest stop”, where we will all cross the finish line together. There’s no better time to celebrate March for Babies than just before Mother’s Day!

Please RSVP by Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/houstonmod#!/events/451428324941781/

Saturday, May 11
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Bayou City Event Center
9401 Knight Road, Houston TX 77045

For more information call 713-623-2020
                                      

Houston Community College (HCC) did a manicuring/photo booth event to raise funds for March of Dimes.

                                              

BG Group (Houston’s #9 team in 2012, raising $101.816) did a Crawl for Babies. BG Crawl for Babies is a six station baby-themed obstacle to be completed by participating staff who receive the most votes. BG Group staff are encouraged to donate $5 to vote on the staff member they want to see complete the course. The floor who raises the most funds, will host the event on their floor. Their goal is to raise $7,500 per floor and build a team of 75 walkers.

                                            

Lubbock
Cultivated partnership with United Supermarkets to run cut-out campaign from April 17-28^th in all 50 of their Texas stores

McAllen
Secured Velma and Leon DeLeon, Founders of Memorial Funeral Homes, as 2013 Signature Chefs Chairs

San Antonio

75th Anniversary Sponsor, University Health System

In this monumental year, University Health System, a long time March of Dimes partner is the 75^th Anniversary Sponsor coming in at $75,000.  This is the largest sponsorship that the San Antonio Division has secured. Thank you to University Health System for making this possible.

As Bexar County and South Texas’ first and only health system to earn Magnet status, they understand the importance of preventing premature birth and are hard at work fighting this battle everyday. At almost $50,000 from birth through the first year, the average cost to care for a premature baby is more than 10 times as high as it is for a healthy, full-term baby. Organizations like University Health System partner with the March of Dimes through March for Babies to reduce the burden and help improve the health of all babies.

                                                    

Waco

March of Dimes Waco division donations are hard at work

Early today, March of Dimes Waco staff headed to the West Community Center to pitch in for moms and babies in West that were affected by the explosion. They brought much needed diapers and formula for families currently without resources. Diapers are still needed. You can help by contacting our Waco office at (254) 741-1025.

                                                      

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