WalkAmerica, the March of Dimes largest fundraising event, which brought in $117 million nationwide last year, has been renamed March for Babies. The new name makes a clear connection to what the March of Dimes is all about – the health of babies.
“The name of our event has changed, but our mission stays the same – working towards the day when every baby is born healthy,” said Mark Gibson, State Director for the March of Dimes, Georgia Chapter. “We hope the new name will bring more people on board to help make that day a reality.”
In Fayette County, March for Babies will take place on April 26, 2008 at Shakerag Knoll in Peachtree City. Fayette County residents can sign up today to help fund lifesaving research and educational programs aimed at helping moms have healthy babies. Last year, 475 supporters participated in the Fayette County event, raising $163,334. In the state of Georgia, funds raised by March for Babies supports community grants, education, advocacy and NICU Family Support Programs.
The March of Dimes hosted its annual Fayette County Kickoff luncheon for March for Babies 2008 at White Water Golf Course on January 5th, 2008. A spirited event designed to get team captains started and provide helpful fundraising tips; this annual luncheon welcomes companies throughout Fayette County.
This year Fayette County was blessed with two Ambassador Families at the February 5thst Kickoff, 10 month old John Dexter Flanagan and his family spoke about John journey. John Dexter was born 27 weeks early. The father of Madelyn Grace McDowell spoke as well. Their stories represent just two of the more than half a million babies born preterm each year in the United States. As the Fayette County Ambassadors, John, Madelyn and their parents, will kickoff this years March for Babies “March” though the 3 mile trails of Peachtree City.
Thank you to Piedmont Fayette Hospital and Southern Community Bank for bringing these families to us this year!
State Director for Georgia March of Dimes, Mark Gibson, emphasized that the mission priority of the March of Dimes is to fight the growing crisis of prematurity. “Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and we are committed to reducing its toll,” he said. “By engaging more people in our mission, and educating more pregnant women and moms about healthy babies, we hope to reach that goal much sooner.”
In addition to a new name, March for Babies has a new website. Interested walkers and donors can visit marchforbabies.org or call toll-free 1-800-525-9255 to sign up as an individual, start a corporate, family or friend’s team, or donate to help babies be born healthy.
The new name of its premier event is part of a larger March of Dimes initiative focused on all babies—those born healthy as well as those who need help to survive and thrive. The March of Dimes also has released a new public service advertising campaign, and is offering pregnant women and moms new medical information in new ways that fit their active lifestyle, including email, podcasts, and text messaging.
In 2008, national March for Babies sponsors are CIGNA, Continental Airlines, Famous Footwear, Farmers, FedEx, Grain Foods Foundation, Liberty Tax Services, nesting.com, and Kmart, the March of Dimes number one corporate partner which has raised more than $63 million for babies. Additional national sponsorship is provided by Discovery Health, Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Outdoor Services and Ther-Rx. Local Sponsors include: State Sponsor - Publix Super Markets; Gold Sponsors – Piedmont Fayette Hospital, Southern Community Bank, Bank Day sponsor- Heritage bank, Mission Mile Sponsor- OPI (Out Patient Imaging) and Media Sponsors – Fayette Neighbor Newspapers
For more information about March for Babies, or to register to participate in the Fayette March or the Coweta County March on (April 19, 2008), visit www.marchforbabies.org, call 770-310-9800.
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