march for babies blog

Today is Prematurity Awareness Day®, and I really wish I had some happy news to report. We just released the second annual Premature Birth Report Card and America scored a depressing “D.” What that means is that every year, we’re failing more than half a million babies.

Each state received its own report card, by the way, and you can find your state’s grade here. No state earned an “A,” and Vermont was the only state that received a “B.” Even though seven states improved their grade, I’m sure you’ll agree we have a long way to go.

You can help in a big way today by blogging about premature birth. And update your Facebook and Twitter status with this message or a message of your own:

I’m fighting for preemies! Join me at http://bit.ly/1gfWUt #fight4preemies

It’s Prematurity Awareness Month, when everyone’s focused on premature birth and the families touched by it.

In our country alone, more than half a million babies are born too soon each year, some very sick. Maybe you had a premature baby yourself. Or you may know someone who did.

This November, do something special for a baby you love. Click over to marchofdimes.com/fightforpreemies and create a virtual band in honor or memory of a baby in your life. Your gift funds research and programs that give premature babies a fighting chance.

If you have a blog, help us spread the word. Unite with thousands of bloggers around the world and post about premature birth on November 17.

One in eight babies is born too soon in America. But what about the rest of the world? The March of Dimes just published the results of the first-ever study into the global problem of premature birth. And the news is disturbing:

• Every year, 13 million babies worldwide are born prematurely, and more than one million die because they are born too soon.

• Rates of premature birth are increasing everywhere ― in our country alone, the rate has gone up by 36 percent in the last 25 years.

There are more shocking stats, you can read them here. But there’s also good news to come out of this. The March of Dimes is meeting with world health leaders to create a plan for global action that will reduce the prematurity rate and give all babies a fighting chance.

Next month is Prematurity Awareness Month. Check back to find out what the March of Dimes doing. If you have a blog, unite with thousands of bloggers around the world and post about premature birth on November 17.

And visit the new site, marchofdimes.com/fightforpreemies for more ways to get involved!

July 22 is Be a Hero for Babies day!

I won’t watch a scary movie by myself, I’m deathly terrified of spiders and am already teaching my son to fear motorcycles. No hero by any standard.

But this, I can do: go one day without my skinny latte, bring my own lunch to work, skip pizza Friday, have date night at home…

That’s all it takes to be a hero for a little baby.

July 22 is “Be a Hero for Babies” day and starting today, our friends at Farmers are doubling every gift to the March of Dimes.

You can give as little as $1.99 and they’ll match it. And when you’re done, you can pick up our avatar (the cute picture above) and show off your new superhero status to your friends on Facebook or Twitter!

I know you worked hard for March for Babies. But the fight goes on for babies born too soon or very sick. Please give your $1.99 today. Or tomorrow. Don’t wait to long though - Farmers’ match is only good through the 22nd.

What can you give up today to save a baby?

Update 7/20: Only three days left. Time to get out your cape - or your credit card. Be a hero for babies, I know you have it in you!

Love Hannah Montana? Fan of Miley Cyrus? Bid now for a Miley Cyrus signed guitar! What an awesome birthday gift or treat for yourself! Bidding ends on Friday evening so make your move at ebay.com/auctioncase. All proceeds go to the March of Dimes!

Shout out to all Miley fans and parents - check out the auction now!

More details on the guitar: Ibanez acoustic guitar signed by Miley Cyrus with beautiful natural, high-gloss finish and comes with a hard black Road Runner case. Thanks!

“As a mom who had a premature child, I know firsthand the toll that premature birth can take.  Give hope to babies and families by joining me in supporting the March of Dimes,” Sherri said.  Sherri is joined by Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Kidman, Kelly Clarkson, Camille Winbush, Nancy O’Dell and a whole group of Hollywood Moms with this shout out for walkers to keep walking and help raise another $10 million to fund lifesaving research and community programs that bring comfort and information to families whose babies were born prematurely or sick.  Just $10 to March for Babies will help take many steps toward a healthy start for all babies!  Give today and get the great feeling of making a difference!

So, we’ve been around for awhile. And it struck me just how long when I read the great-granddaughter of the first March of Dimes president is speaking at the Winchester, VA, March for Babies. The walk is this Saturday.

Karen Drury will be talking about her great-grandfather Basil O’Connor’s many accomplishments. She was interviewed by NV Daily and said this about her work for the March of Dimes: “I think I’m going to be doing a lot for them. My great-grandfather was all about volunteerism. This is my way of keeping his memory alive.”

Basil O’Connor signed up as president of the March of Dimes in 1938 - the end of the Depression. People were feeling the pinch just like we are now, worse even. Still, they gave what they can - sending in their dimes. We’re counting on America once again!

“We can all volunteer,” said Karen. “We can all do our part.”

©Amber McNamara, Kalamazoo, MI

All you walkers and fundraisers out there, I know you’ve done so much already… but we still need your help! 

It’s really no surprise, but March for Babies is feeling the economic crunch. Despite everyone’s best efforts, we’re $3 million short of our online fundraising goal.

I just found out about this number and all I can think about is what a huge amount of money that is. And then I think about how much we could do with that money to help babies and families.

The March of Dimes has already cut several million in research grants. Now it looks like that may have been just the beginning.

Unless we do something now. And we can. Yes, $3 million is big. But if we all join together, it’s not that much!

$20 from every March for Babies participant is all it takes to reach our goal. $20, made as a donation to your own walk. Even if you’ve already reached your goal. It’s all it takes.

You guys, I have never asked you to do anything I’m not doing myself also. I gave my $20, please join me!

I’m counting on you, we’re counting on you. And most of all, the babies are. Help give them the chance they deserve.

Jennifer Lopez kicks off Miami March for Babies

Superstar Jennifer Lopez serves as 2009 March for Babies Honorary Chair!

This cause means a lot to the new mom - her own babies, twins Max and Emme, just turned one! She is so excited to help other mothers have healthy pregnancies and babies, too.

Along with national sponsor sanofi-pasteur, she will be helping to raise awareness about the need for new parents to get vaccinated against pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

A radiant Jennifer Lopez kicked off the Miami, FL, March for Babies last Saturday. She joined thousands of walkers and also brought out the sun.

Thank You WellPoint!

Each year, WellPoint (the nation’s largest health benefits company) encourages their associates to participate in Community Service Day. Lucky for us, March of Babies is an event chosen by WellPoint given our shared goals to improve the health of families.

On Saturday, 400 WellPoint volunteers helped with everything from set up to clean up at 25 sites across the country. And…in Los Angeles, Leslie A. Margolin (President, Anthem Blue Cross in California - a WellPoint affiliate) led a team of 200 more WellPoint volunteers who walked and fundraised.

And…Anthem Blue Cross in California is a $50,000 sponsor in LA. Three great ways for our friends in the health care industry to partner with us for babies! Thanks, WellPoint!