March of Dimes 75th Anniversary

 Love Lucy: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz with their two children

      The March of Dimes celebrates 75 years of research, vaccines and breakthroughs that benefit every baby. Celebrate with us. Our work is made possible, year after year thanks to the generous support of more than 3 million volunteers who donate their time, talent and even their voices to help babies. Donors big and small help fund community programs, and millions of others support a variety of special events, including our largest fundraiser, March for Babies. Together we’re improving the lives of babies and families at home and around the world.

 

        Over the past 75 years we’ve been thinking about the babies of the nation. In the 1950’s it was his personal experience with polio that inspired President Franklin Roosevelt to found the March of Dimes in 1938 to defeat the crippling disease. Success came in the form of a vaccine. The same polio vaccine that eradicated the disease from the United States protects babies today. Newborn screening for PKU and 29 other serious conditions brought about in the 1960’s continues to keep babies out of harms way. Newborn intensive care dating back to the 1970’s saves the lives of thousands of premature and very sick babies each year. Going into the 1980’s surfactant therapy was introduced to help tiny lungs breathe. Finally, from the 1990’s to today, folic acid education lessens the number of babies who are born with neural tube defects. One of the last major mountains to climb in the realm of premature birth is that of a strong heart for every baby. Abolishing premature birth is of course the ultimate goal and the bar is set at 9.6% of live births. U.S. preterm birth rates have declined for five consecutive years and it is because of people like you who are willing to make a difference. Your support today helps us continue cutting-edge research to determine the causes of birth defects and premature birth. Lets work together for stronger, healthier babies.