Join us in the March for Babies!

What it is: The March of Dimes March for Babies is a three-mile fundraising walk.  You can walk individually, or join a team (like our Horizon CCU team!).  The event raises money and awareness for premature birth and birth defects.  The Green Bay walk takes place April 25 at 9:00 am at Ashwaubomay Park.

What it does: The March of Dimes was originally started by President FDR to combat polio.  With that original mission accomplished, they turned their attention to another issue that affects the lives of millions – premature birth and birth defects.  Now, the mission of the March of Dimes is to make sure that every baby is born healthy and full-term.  Funds raised by the March of Dimes are put to work on research and education for vaccines, diseases, medications, genetics and screening procedures that will help accomplish their new mission.  Aside from the March for Babies walk, the March of Dimes also funds its work through grant money.  In 2003 they started a campaign to end premature births.  Using this grant money, they have implemented programs including group prenatal care and risk reduction services that complement a woman’s overall care during pregnancy, such as smoking cessation services, substance abuse counseling, management of diabetes and hypertension, and case management services.
  
Why it is important: About 1 in 9 babies is born too soon – amounting to 450,000 premature births in the US, and 15 million premature births worldwide, each year.  Babies born just a few weeks early are at risk of severe health problems and lifelong disabilities. Premature birth is the number 1 killer of newborns.  Overall, the US is given a grade of “C” for this statistic.  Our premature birth rates are worse than many other developed nations.  In an effort to improve that grade, the March of Dimes also advocates for the passing state and federal laws which help to improve health screenings and education for expectant mothers and their unborn babies.

What you can do: Join the walk!  Start a team of your own, or join up with ours!  Ask family and friends to pledge donations for your walk.  Even if you’re not able to make it to the actual event, you can still make a donation yourself, or raise money on behalf of a team.  This year, all donations that Team Horizon CCU raises will be matched, up to $1000.  So donations automatically get doubled!  We hope to see you there!