North Charleston, SC – The March of Dimes will kick off their 2013 March for Babies fundraising campaign in Charleston on February 5, 2013 at 12pm at Trident Medical Center. March for Babies raises funds for vital research to help prevent premature birth and birth defects. Individuals, families and businesses throughout Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester Counties are invited to attend and begin raising funds for March for Babies, which will be held on April 27, 2013 at Cannon Park.
During the kick off, participants will have the opportunity to meet our ambassador family, pick up fundraising materials, and learn more about the March of Dimes 75th Anniversary. Top fundraisers from 2012 will also be recognized. To register, contact Meredith Repik at (843) 614-3355 or mrepik@marchofdimes.com.
March for Babies Chairmen, Todd Gallati, CEO, Trident Health and Lou Caputo, CEO, Summerville Medical Center, will lead this year’s campaign. “We invite our community to join us in celebrating the proud history of March of Dimes and their mission which has helped improve the health of babies and children since 1938. Each year more than four million babies are born in the United States and the March of Dimes helped each and every one of them through vaccines, research, education and breakthroughs. Together we are raising money to continue to help more babies be born full-term and healthy,” said Gallati.
Funds raised also support community programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies. The most urgent infant health problem in the U.S. today is premature birth—which affects more than 9,000 babies in South Carolina each year. In Charleston, the Linker family was touched by premature birth when their triplets were born at 30 weeks. Wes, Sarah, Kelsey, Thomas and Easton Linker know how the March of Dimes made a difference in their lives and encourage you to come out and join March for Babies and help more families.
March for Babies Chairmen, Todd Gallati, CEO, Trident Medical Center and Lou Caputo, CEO, Summerville Medical Center, will lead this year campaign. Todd stated, “This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the March of Dimes. We invite our community to join us in celebrating the proud history of March of Dimes and their mission which has helped improve the health of babies and children since 1938. Each year more than four million babies are born in the United States and the March of Dimes helped each and every one of them through vaccines, research, education and breakthroughs. Raising money for March for Babies is important for families and businesses alike. Together we are raising money to continue to help more babies be born full-term and healthy!”
Each year, the South Carolina Chapter of the March of Dimes invests in mission initiatives statewide, including research grants and local community services. Through these program services, the March of Dimes continues working to prevent birth defects and infant death, reduce South Carolina’s premature birth rate, increase access to prenatal care and educate healthcare providers and women about having healthy babies.
In 2013, the March of Dimes celebrates its 75th Anniversary and its ongoing work to help babies get a healthy start in life. Early research led to the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines that all babies still receive. Other breakthroughs include new treatments for premature infants and children with birth defects. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com/southcarolina. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.