march for babies blog

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!

Melissa Joan Hart & her sons

Tune in to tonight to see March of Dimes Mom, Melissa Joan Hart, on Dancing With the Stars!!!  A committed volunteer in California and spokesperson for March of Dimes national campaigns, Melissa has been a great supporter of our cause and our fight for healthy babies.  Check your local television listings for Dancing with the Stars and help support Melissa!

The Hall Family - Our National Ambassadors

Michael Hall is the March of Dimes National Ambassador Dad. Every time Michael speaks out about prematurity to raise money for the mission, he lights up with joy and pride talking about his wife, Ashley, and daughter, Katelyn. Michael is leading Team Katelyn to victory for March for Babies. And, oh yeah, Michael was also named Dad of the Month by iParenting.

Want to know what this volunteer dad extraordinaire is doing for Mother’s Day? Michael is shopping online to benefit the cause! Flowers, photos, jewelry and more. Take a few more steps for babies – get something for your mom! Or, is your mom the mom who has everything and is also allergic to flowers, just donate in her honor – it’s a priceless gift of love and hope.

FDR and Basil O Connor

During the Great Depression, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt asked America to help defeat that era’s biggest threat to our children – polio. He called on all families to collect dimes, just dimes. Did you go door to door? Did your grandparents? Times were tough, but millions of people sent millions of dimes to the White House. Those dimes added up fast and helped researchers find the cure.

Now, $10 can help defeat prematurity. Just ask for $10 for babies. And then ask if your sponsor could ask two others to give $10, too. That’s what I’ve always done, and I’ve watched my fundraising total go up and up.  And, in more good news, I’ve always been amazed by how many sponsors donated more than $10 – much more!

America remembers polio. America needs to know about prematurity. Try connecting the dots. Then tell us if it works for you!

Around the country, Pampered Chef representatives are hosting March for Babies parties for walkers to help raise money, donating a portion of proceeds. Fabulous chef or quick and easy cook, there are wonderful kitchen gadgets and cookwear for all! The March of Dimes National Office Team had great success with this - and so can you.  Bon appetit!

You can sell cookies, bears and other sweet things!

Whether on a Family Team or Corporate Team, volunteers are boosting team dollars in creative ways beyond getting individual sponsor donations. And with budgets so tight this year, many people love the “two for one” of fundraising when there’s something in it for them yet proceeds go to the cause of babies – whether a purchase or a party!

Here’s what’s going on out there: bake sales, scrapbooking or Pampered Chef parties, golf tournaments, poker nights, chartible dinner (checks instead of hostess gifts), birthday parties, no presents birthday parties, pj days, and more! What are you doing? Also check out the Youth and Family Teams blog for more ideas.

Wishing all March of Dimes volunteers across the country peace and prosperity for the New Year. Without volunteers like you, we can’t achieve our mission — walking together to the day when all babies are born healthy. Many thanks for your help 2008 and in advance for 2009!

Hello volunteers! I’m Melanie, your volunteer connection for March for Babies.  You’ve surely already figured out, March for Babies is the BEST volunteer gig we’ve got going! 

There are tons of ways you can help…and that’s what you can learn about here.  Stay tuned for cool ideas that will make your walk day great for you and for babies. Be sure to also let me know how you’re marching this year so we can share how you’re making a difference and inspire others to get involved!

Remember, the March of Dimes history of success rests in the power of volunteers…and so too does our future.  Thanks for all you do for babies!