Thank You Family Teams!

Family Teams are integral in supporting our mission.

 

Checkout this March for Babies Thank You Video.

Maybe you’ll Recognize Someone!

March of Dimes Trail Run

Sunday, November 04, 2012
Time: 12:00 PM
Gambrill State Park, High Knob Area
8602 Gambrill Park Road
Frederick, MD 21702


The third annual trail run on Gambrill State Park’s Yellow Trail (with a little bit of green and black thrown in) will challenge the experienced trail runner with a 7-mile course and provide an introduction to trail running for the less experienced on a 2-mile course. Either way, you’ll enjoy the race, the comradery and the chance to support the March of Dimes.

Click here to register.

For more information, contact Nancy Wiley at nwiley@marchofdimes.com or (301) 865-1931.

A Look Back at How Far We've Come

Huffington Post ArticleHuffington Post Article

Picture this: It's summer, it's hot, your children are home from school, they want to go outside, they want to play with their friends, they want to go to the swimming pool. Because you live in 2012, they can and they do. But it hasn't always been that way. Some folks can remember summers in the late 1940s. It was hot and kids had just as much energy, if not more. But you wouldn't dream of letting them go swimming, or even out of the house, because there was a highly contagious disease going around out there that could cause paralysis and even death. It was called polio.

The healthy world that our kids grow up in today is made possible, in part, by the March of Dimes. Created in 1938 by President Franklin Roosevelt, who had polio himself, the March of Dimes funded research for the vaccines developed by Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin that would effectively end the polio epidemic in the United States, setting countless parents' minds at ease. There hasn't been a single new case of polio here in more than three decades.

For the March of Dimes, the polio vaccine was only the beginning of its work to help make kids and babies healthier. Flash forward with me now to the 1960s: You're expecting your first child when you develop a fever, swollen lymph nodes and a strange rash. You have rubella, commonly known as German measles. This isn't terribly surprising, as epidemics take place every six to nine years, but because you're pregnant, if you pass the disease to your unborn child, she could be born with severe birth defects. In 1969, Dr. Virginia Apgar and the March of Dimes led a rubella immunization program, with the goal of eradicating congenital rubella syndrome. Today, the U.S. can boast that it hasn't had a case of congenital rubella syndrome in 30 years.

The 1960s also bring a new president. John F. Kennedy is an inspiration to a generation. But there is a sadness in the Kennedy family. A baby son, born too soon and weighing only five pounds, dies from breathing problems. The world is left to wonder to this day what might have been if Patrick Bouvier Kennedy had lived.

Death was a tragic but common outcome of preterm births before the 1970s, when the March of Dimes called for a regionalized system of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to care for very sick babies all across the U.S. The breathing problems that claimed the Kennedy's son remained a challenge until the 1980s, when March of Dimes grantee T. Allen Merritt of the University of california San Diego Medical Center developed "surfactant therapy" to help the immature lungs of babies born too small or too soon. This treatment is now used in hospitals every day, and has saved the lives of tens of thousands of babies.

Advancements continued, and in 1993 March of Dimes launched the National Folic Acid Campaign to raise awareness of the importance of this B-vitamin in preventing serious birth defects of the brain and spine known as neural tube defects (NTDs), and to increase the number of childbearing-age women who consume a daily multivitamin with folic acid as part of a healthy diet. The foundation also lobbied the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to add folic acid to the grain food supply, which was mandated in 1998. NTDs have declined by about one-third since food fortification.

With all these accomplishments, it's no exaggeration to say that the March of Dimes touches the life of every baby in some way. This spring, in an effort to raise awareness and fund continued research breakthroughs, the March of Dimes launched a new campaign called "imbornto." Based on the premise that every baby is born to do something great, the campaign encourages connsumers to shop, dine and donate at corporate partners across the nation during the time period between Mother's Day and Father's Day. After all, the best gift any parent can receive is a healthy baby.

As the organization enters its 75th year in 2013, funds are being allocated to research new treatments to prevent or halt preterm labor. And in communities across the country, more women are getting essential services and education to have the healthiest possible pregnancy.

Why the history lesson today? Because as parents in 2012, we're lucky. Our children will likely be healthier than any other from previous generations. And while most of the country is familiar with the name March of Dimes, few know the full scope of what this remarkable, uniquely American institution organization has done and is doing to create a healthier future for our children and our grandchildren. Just look how far we've come.

By Doug A. Staples
Senior Vice President for Strategic Marketing and Communication, March of Dimes

Thanks to everyone who Shopped For A Cause.

Thank you Macy’s shoppers! You shopped, saved and helped babies on August 25th and the results were incredible! As the exclusive national beneficiary of Shop For A Cause, more than $3.1 million was raised for March of Dimes. Thank you for supporting our proud partner Macy’s and moms and babies right in your community!

The Story of the Sanna Boys

One Mother’s Journey…

My mother’s first daughter was still-born. My mother’s second daughter was 3 months premature, weighing in at a mere 1 ½ pounds. Then there was me -- 2 months premature, weighing in at 3.8 pounds. I knew I would have a preemie. I started trying to see a specialist when having a baby was a mere thought – I wanted a head start on having a healthy pregnancy.

I was told that because I didn’t have a pregnancy history (i.e., previous still-births, miscarriages or premature births), that I just had to wait until I got pregnant. And then, after a year of trying, I got pregnant… I was the perfect pregnant patient… quit smoking cold turkey, took my prenatal vitamins, took extra folic acid, didn’t even have caffeine… ate healthier than I did during my healthiest times. The first set of tests showed an increased risk of Down Syndrome. I got very educated, very quickly. I opted out of an amniocentesis since it wouldn’t benefit the baby and just plug away at the pregnancy… doing my best to stay mentally and physically healthy. We picked the name Nicholas Anthony “Nico” and eight weeks before my due date (the day before my baby shower), preeclampsia sets in and he arrives through emergency C-section -- weighing in at a whopping 3 pounds, 14.6 ounces. He was perfect – perfectly healthy, just small. Our local hospital staff got an exception for us to stay locally. Because he was healthy, he didn’t need the special care of a big hospital… we stayed in the hospital for a week, waiting for him to gain enough weight to go home. The staff in Labor & Delivery had signs up that they were participating in the March for Babies walk. I had always heard of the March of Dimes, but never really knew what they did. At that point, I made a promise that I would walk every year that I could.

Fast forward a couple of years. We start planning baby #2. Again, I see the doctor before I get pregnant. He says to get pregnant and he will send me to a specialist right away because I had a history of prematurity now and the health insurance would cover it. Yippee! The specialists ordered fancy tests which determined that I have a condition in which my body does not process folic acid properly.

It’s great to know that we have a root to the problem! What a relief. Extra folic acid it is!!! At 15 weeks gestation, the specialists tell us they can tell us what we’re having. We’re dying to know whether we are having a girl or boy. But they see something and we can tell by the looks on their faces while reading the sonogram. The doctor returns and tells us we’re having a boy, but he has Spina Bifida. We are given an option of terminating the pregnancy, but we don’t even need to discuss it -- we are keeping this baby. I am dumbfounded as to how this can happen when we took all the right steps – well, Spina Bifida occurs within the first 28 days of pregnancy… so, by the time you even know you’re pregnant, it’s too late. The fancy test was just too late. After the initial shock of the news wears off, we opt to name him Jody Thorne Jr. “JoJo” and again, I do my best to stay mentally and physically healthy. The further we get into the pregnancy, the more tests reveal as far as his condition. Everything is planned out… the date they will do a scheduled C-section, the hospital, the surgeons, the specialists, insurance coverage. I had it down to a science. He was born 6 pounds, 1 ounce. The biggest baby on my side yet! He is yet another miracle baby!

My dedication to the March of Dimes is so that other families don’t have to go through these heart-wrenching stories. To feel as helpless as I did during pregnancy – because all you really want is a healthy child. It is because of the March of Dimes work and dedication that research is done so that these stories don’t have to be a statistic. They can reach out to society and to our lawmakers to fight for the rights of women and babies – of families, and make every story count. To ensure that health insurance companies are being proactive, and not just reactive, to the needs of our society. We have participated in each March for Babies since 2006… and began participating in the Bikers for Babies in 2010. Knowing that we CAN make a difference in our babies – our future – is the only reason I need to continue our journey. Please Join the Sannas at Bikers for Babies on October 7th 2012 at Maryland International Speedway.

Signature Chefs Auction – Central Maryland

Monday, November 05, 2012
Time: 6:00 PM
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel
700 Aliceanna Street
Baltimore, MD 21202

We hope that you will be able to join us in our 13th year as we present the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction in Central Maryland. Retired Oriole, Chris Hoiles, and his wife Dana will chair the event. Since 2000, this event has raised over $1 Million for the March of Dimes. You will enjoy an evening of fine food, wine and auction items. You will be able to visit over 30 of the area’s celebrated chefs all in one evening (see list below).

The VIP Reception will begin at 5:00pm, followed by the General Tasting and Auction at 6:00 pm.

To purches tickets visit Signature Chefs Auction – Central Maryland.

Sponsorships opportunities range from $5,000 to $25,000. Contact Jennifer Tarr, jtarr@marchofdimes.com, (410) 752-8152 for more details.

Particpating restaurants:
Sullivan’s Steakhouse
Patchwork Catering
Cabot Cheese
Café Gia
Aramark – Science Center
Royal Sonesta
Waterfront Kitchen
Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards
Saval Foods
Roy’s Restaurant
Grilled Cheese & Company
Kent Manor Inn
Thames Street Oyster House
TATU
Renaissance Hotels – Watertable Restaurant
Baltimore Waterfront Marriott
Innovative Gourmet
Clementine
Baldwin Station
Chef’s Expressions
Rocco’s Cappricios
Gertrudes
Hillendale Country Club
Della Notte
Rumor Mill
TenTen
Fleet Street Kitchen
Chazz – A Bronz Original

Meet TJ, Baby Crawl Winner

Meet TJ, the winner of the 2012 CareFirst/Mystics/MOD Baby Crawl at the Verizon Center! Thanks to everyone who came out onTuesday, September 4th to support March of Dimes, CareFirst and theMystics!

The Diaper Drive is toda,y September 9th starting at 4pm at the Verizon Center at 601 F Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20004. The Mystics have already collected over 3000 diapers! Please come out tonight and join the March of Dimes Mama Baby Bus, CareFirst and the Washing ton Mystics at the F street entrance between 6th and 7th Streets NW!

Family Team Committee Volunteers Needed

March of Dimes Maryland-National Capital Area is looking for volunteers to participate with your local March for Babies walk site Family Team Committee. The following Committees are recruiting members - Fairfax, Prince William, Washington D.C., Montgomery, Prince George’s, Greater Baltimore, Western Maryland (Allegany, Frederick and Washington Counties), Maryland Eastern Shore (Caroll, Wicomico, Worchester Counties) and Southern Maryland (Charles and St. Mary’s) . The Family Team Committee is to help increase Family Team involvement with 2013 March for Babies and other March of Dimes events.

This is a great way to get involved and make a difference in your community. The March of Dimes Maryland-National Capital Area Chapter had over 950 Family Teams participate in the March for Babies in 2012. Our amazing Family Teams raised over $780,000 to fund local programs and fund valuable research to increase the health of our pregnant moms and their babies. We need volunteers to help support our families in our community with their fight for healthy babies. Volunteers will meet once to twice a month beginning in October with a commitment of a year to the committee. The Family Team Committee will help recruit and develop Family Teams.

To volunteer please contact Heather Kane at hkane@marchofdimes.com .

Dine for Babies at MaGerk’s Pub

Dine for Babies at MaGerk’s Pub in Bel Air Sept. 12th from 5pm-10pm

Join us on Wednesday, September 12th from 5pm to 10pm at
MaGerk’s Pub in Bel Air to Dine for Babies. 10% of the nights proceeds will go to the March of Dimes. No flyer necessary.

For more information Contact Heather Lynch hlynch@marchofdimes.com