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.

• 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!

Nascar legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Rock n’ Roll superstar Dee Snider have teamed up to help give every baby a healthy start! The Dale Jr. Foundation graciously donated a custom built Orange County Chopper to the March of Dimes and it could be yours. $20 buys a chance to win and helps improve the health of babies.

If you’re a biker up to some good, then check out the March of Dimes event Bikers for Babies and see about participating in a ride near you.

Vote for Kelly!

Team Youth Ambassador Kelly Clarkson’s single, “My Life Would Suck Without You” has been nominated for this years’ Teen Choice Music: Single. So show your support for Kelly and click here to vote. Make sure to register first at teenchoiceawards.com and note that voters must be between the ages of 13 and 19 years old.

The 2009 Teen Choice Awards air on FOX, Monday, August 10th at 8pm. Be sure to tune in to see the results. Congratulations Kelly, from all of us at the March of Dimes!

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!