Be Your Best For Babies

          Does it seem like an odd request to ask you to be your best? If you ask any parent who's gone through the struggle that comes with a premature birth, they would say it is not much to ask considering what their child had to go through. Looking to the future, the March of Dimes' mission will have touched every family in America in one way or another. Perhaps you or a sibling is going through a rough pregnancy, maybe you know someone who has had experience with the NICU; the point is premature birth is a part of all of our lives and that needs to change. The only way to change that is to BE YOUR BEST FOR BABIES that comes with 

THE CHALLENGE:

            Set a higher goal than last year, or continue to raise money even if you reach your original goal! You can feel good about giving more babies a healthy start in life.

 

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.

Walgreens Support!

Special thank you to our Statewide Sponsor, Walgreens for supporting March for Babies!

Next time you're picking up a prescription or another item at your local Walgreens, be sure and tell them thank you for their support.  If you have a personal connection to March of Dimes, be sure and share that with them as well.

The March of Dimes Staff participated in a "Walgreens Blitz" this past week, dropping off a "Thank You" drawn by our own Dallas Ambassador, Kaitlyn.

Fundraising Tool: Diaper Bingo

Less than 20 days away from March for Babies!  Use this tool to generate a fun and exciting compeitition and play "Diaper Bingo" with your team or coworkers.

Parking Information & March for Babies Countdown

Find Parking information for March for Babies here, or to the right under "March for Babies Materials."

March for Babies is just 33 Days away, and we still need your help fundraising!

How much does it cost to register for March for Babies? $0.00

How much does it cost to email my friends and family, and ask them to support me by donating to March of Dimes?  $0.00

The feeling I get when I raise money to prevent another parent from experiencing the NICU or the loss of a child?           PRICELESS!!!

Team Captain Webinar Information

Join us for an online demonstration and conference call to learn how to best use our Online Fundraising tool.

Wednesday, March 14^th @ 3 p.m. 

Register Today by seletcing the link below and following the prompts

 https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/787672872

McAllister's Boxed Lunch Information

As one of our preferred vendors, McAllister's is offering Boxed Lunches at a reduced rate.  They will deliver them to the walk site in time for lunch on April 21. 

For pricing and ordering information, please visit this link.  The information is also available under "March of Dimes Links" to the right.

Team Recognition at the Kickoff Breakfast

Last week, the Dallas Division hosted the kickoff breakfast for the 2012 March for Babies season at the new Omni Hotel Downtown.  Top Teams were recognized for corporations, family teams and individual walkers

 

Congratulations to the #1 Corporate Team, Bank of America!

2012 March for Babies is Here!

Sign up today at

marchforbabies.org

to start your 2012 team!

Thank you!

The countdown is over!  March for Babies was Saturday and we can't say thank you enough!

I hope you all enjoyed the beautiful weather and had a great time at March for Babies.  Here are some highlights from the walk:

Heather Hays from Fox 4 emceed the Opening Ceremony

Dr. Stephen Mansfield, President/CEO of Methodist Health System and March for Babies Chairman commenced the walk

Former American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, walked along with thousands of other March of Dimes supporters
Our 4 t-shirt winners were announced: Parkland Hospital, Balfour Beatty, Pediatrix Medical Group, and Tru's Crew (Family Team)
The Path of Hope lined the route, remembering over 100 babies born prematurely
Our Family Teams tent was filled to the brim-- the kids enjoyed face painting, bubbles, and playing with the clown
Our corporate teams' tents were jammin'... Lots of music, food, and fun!
NASCAR driver, Denny Hamlin's FedEx car was there (and was designed by the Aaron's kids-- one of our awesome family teams)

It was an amazing day for our corporate and family teams!  We walk so that one day all babies will born healthy... and we couldn't do it without you all. 

Twitter and Facebook

To keep up with the Dallas & Fort Worth Divisions of March of Dimes, check out our new Facebook and Twitter accounts.  Be sure to "like" our Facebook and "follow" our Twitter to stay up-to-date with all of our events and info!

Facebook: Search for March of Dimes, Dallas & Fort Worth Divisions (click here)

Twitter: Search for @MOD_DFW (click here)

Park Map

Thanks to everyone who submitted designs for our t-shirt contest!  We can't wait to announce the winners on Saturday at the March for Babies opening ceremony!

Please note that the Park Map has been added to the March for Babies Materials (right-hand side of the blog).  There you will find where all of the tents will be set up and how the park will be laid out.

Remember the opening ceremony starts at 8:45 AM and the walk starts at 9:00 AM this Saturday, April 16th at Norbuck Park-White Rock Lake.  Check out the Parking Information document to figure out the best way for you and your team to get to the park.

Texting can help babies!

Make your next text really count. Text “Baby” to 20222 and a $5 donation will be added to your phone bill. Your contribution helps March of Dimes fund research, help families and educate moms so that all babies get a healthy start. Again, that’s text “B-A-B-Y” to 20222.

Corporate Spotlight #5

With less than two weeks until the big day, we are thrilled to present this week's Corporate Spotlight on Winstead, our newest corporate sponsor!

This law firm has participated in Dallas' March for Babies for four years now and we are excited to have them on Baby Boulevard this year. Winstead is among the largest business law firms in the state of Texas and they have offices located in eight U.S. cities.

Some of the industries they serve are: Alternative Energy, Biotechnology, Construction, Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare, Insurance, Nanotechnology, Real Estate, Sports Business & Public Venues, and Technology.

Thank you, Winstead, for partnering with the March of Dimes and we look forward to seeing you on Baby Boulevard on April 16!

Family Teams

Our Family Teams Give Back in So Many Ways!

The Aron’s have been a Family Team in March for Babies since 2005. They were inspired to give back when their twin sons, Jake and Josh, were born prematurely at 1lb 2 oz each. In the many years they have been a part of March for Babies, they have raised over $40,000 for the March of Dimes!

Jake and Josh are doing great and are healthy and happy 9 year olds!  The twins' older brother, Zac, has been inspired by his very giving family to create a charity of his own. While his family has raised money for years to ease the suffering of babies in the NICU, Zac is working to help ease the suffering of teens that also find themselves in the hospital.

Jaime Aron explains below how you can be a part of such a special way to give back:

"Would you like to help make a long hospital stay a little less boring for a sick teen? All it takes is gathering up the old iPods or any other electronics laying around your home. Our 13 year old has started an organization called "Tunes for Sick Teens", to turn your old gizmos into a new iPod Touch for a sick, needy teenager. We've already given away three, and hope to help many more! For details about our group, check out http://www.tunesforsickteens.com/ ; for more details on the trade-in program, check out www.TunesForSickTeens.com/howtohelp.aspx"

Let's help this young man make a difference in so many people's lives!