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!

John Bricker and Wendy Sledd-MFB09-HarrisburgPA

Wendy Sledd,  Central PA’s board chair (who also happens to be Mrs. Pennsylvania) joined John Bricker on the stage at the Harrisburg March for Babies. 

It was a wet day. But that didn’t keep the crowd away! Harrisburg had a record turnout and went way over their goal!

John, by the way, is a team captain. His team raised a modest $31,000. Kidding, that’s amazing! And of that money, he raised $30,000 himself! Go John! And go Central PA Family Teams!!!

Thank you for sharing those photos and stories! Keep sending them in and we’ll post them here.

Pittsburgh March for Babies

More than 3,000 people took to the streets of Pittsburgh to raise an amazing $500,000+ for March for Babies this past weekend - Way to go!

Did you walk this weekend? Was the event in your city an amazing day, please let us hear!

Magdalenas Feet Family Team

Magdalena Roberts was born to Noah and Julie of Clinton, MS on August 6, 2008. She was diagnosed with T-18 or Edwards Syndrome at just 20 weeks gestation.

The Roberts were getting ready for March for Babies and planned to speak at their kickoff on January 15, 2009. Unfortunately, Magdalena passed away just days earlier. Her family had 5 wonderful months of memories together. Magdalena’s funeral was the very hour of our Luncheon. Julie was determined to spread the word about sweet Magdalena so her boss came to the kickoff to deliver Julie’s speech.

Julie asked that everyone wear pink on the day of the funeral. She was sent pictures from all over the world of people in pink honoring Magdalena.

The Magdalena’s Feet Family Team participated in The Tri County March for Babies in Ridgeland, MS on May 2, 2009. An impressive 200+ walkers showed up on May 2 to celebrate the life of Magdalena. And 85 more people joined the team online and walked in 14 states. Noah and Julie’s family and friends raised more than $16,000 for March for Babies.

The Roberts are expecting a baby boy in early Fall. Follow their blog to see how everyone’s doing.

If you have a successful Family Team story you want to share with us, or even just a great picture, please do!

Doug Hawthorne, the CEO of Texas Health Resources and Chair of the Dallas March for Babies

In just four cities alone (Dallas, Nashville, Phoenix & Tallahassee), some 40,000+ people participated in this past weekend’s March for Babies!  While it was a little damp in some areas it was a perfect sunny day in others!  Whether it rained or not these thousands of volunteers, including Doug Hawthorne, the CEO of Texas Health Resources and Chair of the Dallas March for Babies (pictured here) got up early to show their support of the March of Dimes!

If you walked in one of the 119 cities that held a March for Babies last weekend share with us your pictures and stories – we love to hear from you and see what a fun time you had!  Once again, thank you to EVERYONE that walked last weekend and we look forward to seeing more friends at this coming weekend’s April 25 & 26 March for Babies events!

The 100K Twitter challenge!

Hugh Jackman, who tweets as @RealHughJackman, has offered to give $100,000 to the charity of choice of the tweeter he feels makes the strongest, most heart-felt case. In 140 characters or less that is.

Thousands of people have already sent their tweets - among them many March of Dimes supporters. Thanks, everyone! Hugh’s announcing the winner on April 24, so get your tweet in now! Tell Hugh and everyone else why this cause means so much to you!

Looking good and doing good… Hugh Jackman certainly is the total package!

UPDATE:  Wondering what to Tweet?  Here are some examples:

@RealHughJackman Every waking moment I have with my babies I’m thankful for March of Dimes research.  We need your support to save more babies.

@RealHughJackman My kids walk, run, laugh and play thanks to March of Dimes efforts!  We need your to help give every baby a healthy start.

Lunch Wednesday at the March of Dimes National Office was anything but ordinary. Sheryl Underwood, International Grand Basileus of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., was on site to share how she & the Zetas are going to increase their efforts to help every baby be born healthy!

President Sheryl Underwood greets March of Dimes staff Sandra Allen & LaVonia Anderson

The March of Dimes has worked with Zeta Phi Beta for over thirty years, and has had a great partnership with the sorority’s involvement in the Stork’s Nest program & in March for Babies. I was particularly excited, however, to hear President Underwood’s enthusiasm for working with youth populations. Zeta Phi Beta has Archonettes, Amicettes, and Pearlettes youth groups, and President Underwood has fantastic ideas & energy to reach these young women with the message of living a healthy lifestyle.

I can’t wait to engage new volunteers in education, fundraising, & youth leadership! Are you working with students to encourage healthy lifestyles? Or do you have an adult advisor whose enthusiasm for young people volunteering is contagious? We’d love to hear about it! A big thank you to President Sheryl Underwood and to all youth advisors who provide vision & encouragement in promoting youth volunteerism.

Liberty Tax Service, the fastest growing tax preparation franchise company in the U.S., is offering each of their customers an opportunity to improve the health of babies by making a dollar donation to the March of Dimes.  Since the beginning of their 2009 season just days ago, customer donations total over $11,000! 

Later this tax season on March 27th, Liberty Tax Service will offer a FREE TAX PREPARATION for any new customer making a $50 donation to the March of Dimes at participating locations.  So savvy March of Dimes supporters can complete their business with Uncle Sam, save a lot of money, and help give a healthy start to all babies – all at the same time.