Posted: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 12:00 am
PORTLAND - More than 175 Linn and Benton County residents joined together to raise $30,000 in Corvallis for March for Babies, formerly known as WalkAmerica, to benefit all babies - those born healthy as well as those who need help to survive and thrive. The Greater Oregon Chapter expects to raise $1.2 million in 19 March for Babies sites throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Premature birth touches half a million babies and their families every year including 1 in 10 in Oregon - a 17 percent increase in the last decade. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities. More than 120,000 babies are born with serious birth defects that can mean a lifetime of disability. Babies born healthy need champions, too, to ensure they have access to newborn screening and preventive health care. The March of Dimes is there for all babies.
Of the money raised in the Corvallis march, 77 cents of each dollar will be spent on research and programs to help find ways to protect and defend our babies' health.
Sponsors of the walk in Corvallis were PacificSource Health Plans, KeyBank, Dex, Big 5, IBEW Local 280, Georgia-Pacific, Samaritan Health Services and MOM Magazine.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.