Community Matters March 2013

The March of Dimes                                                                                

Karen A. Wendling, Northeastern New York Division Director
4 Computer Drive West, Suite 201
Albany, New York 12205
(518) 453-0474
kwendling@marchofdimes.com
One of the region’s most respected organizations has a long history of working to ensure babies are born healthy.  March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by Franklin Delano Roosevelt to find a cure for polio.  In 1979 the Salk vaccine was developed and polio was eradicated from the United States.  March of Dimes then changed its focus to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
The organization, which is the leading nonprofit for pregnancy and baby health, has funded some of the greatest medical advances of the 20th century.  That work has been recognized with 13 Nobel Prizes and has improved health for millions of children.  More than 4 million babies were born in the United States last year and March of Dimes helped each one through 75 years of research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs.  This year marks March of Dimes’ 75^th Anniversary and the organization is inviting the community to celebrate with them.
Since 1970, March for Babies has raised more than $2 billion.  In 2013, more than 20,000 companies and 7 million people will participate in March for Babies nationally.  The Northeastern New York Division, which covers 17 counties in upstate New York, has six March for Babies (MFB) events scheduled:

• Adirondack MFB, Sunday, May 19  at Adirondack Community College
• Albany MFB, Sunday, April 28 at University at Albany
• Fulton/Montgomery MFB, Sunday, May 5 at Shuttleworth Park
• Plattsburgh MFB, Saturday, May 4 at Penfield Park
• Saratoga MFB, Sunday, April 28  at High Rock Park
• Schenectady MFB, Sunday, May 5 at Central Park

Walk registration begins at 9 a.m. with walks starting at 10 a.m., with the exception of the Plattsburgh March for Babies, which begins at 10 a.m.
For more information on a walk site near you go to www.marchforbabies.org.  March for Babies is a family- friendly event that brings communities together.  Co-workers, families and friends participate in the three-mile walk because they care about stronger, healthier babies.
For the latest resources and information, visit www.marchofdimes.com/ny or www.nacersano.org.