March of Dimes fundraiser Oct. 23
For most women, becoming pregnant is thrilling and just a bit scary. We worry about eating well, getting some exercise and doing everything we can to make sure our babies will be born healthy.
But sometimes, even when a woman does everything "right," a baby is born prematurely or with a birth defect.
The March of Dimes seeks to protect babies by helping women before and during pregnancy to increase the odds of a healthy birth. The organization also offers support for families when a baby is born early or with a birth defect, or when a newborn dies.
One example is the March of Dimes' NICU Family Support program to help families with a child in a neonatal intensive care unit. Designed using advice from former NICU families, the nationwide program aims to address the needs of parents, siblings, grandparents and the extended family throughout the hospitalization, during the transition home and in the event of a newborn death. The program also guides NICU staff in sensitively supporting families.
"For parents whose babies come early, prematurity becomes an unavoidable reality," says Jeri Bingham, state director of communications and marketing for the March of Dimes Foundation's Illinois chapter. "This program provides direct emotional support and information to families who experience the hospitalization of their babies in a NICU. And more importantly, it also reaches women who are at greatest risk for preterm birth - those who have already had a preterm birth."
Bingham discusses the March of Dimes and its national efforts on behalf of women and babies.
Q. What is your mission?
A. The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. One out of every eight babies is born prematurely, and the March of Dimes is working to reduce this statistic.
Q. How do you work toward accomplishing that goal?
A. The March of Dimes is fighting for the health of every baby in the United States and around the world. We stand with moms before, during and after pregnancy to help them get the information and support they need to bring healthy babies into the world. And, if something goes wrong, the March of Dimes offers hope, with information and comfort to help parents cope with premature birth, a child with a birth defect, or the loss of a baby. The March of Dimes brings together mothers, fathers, health professionals, young people and corporate leaders to help us serve as the champion for all babies.
The March of Dimes carries out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies' lives. March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: prematurity, birth defects, low birth weight.
Q. Who do you serve?
A. The March of Dimes Illinois Chapter serves Illinois families, specifically women of childbearing age, pregnant women, women seeking to become pregnant, babies born prematurely, babies born with birth defects and babies born healthy.
Q. When and why did the March of Dimes start? How has it grown?
A. In January 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. Comedian Eddie Cantor coined the phrase "March of Dimes" (playing on the popular newsreel feature "The March of Time"), by appealing to radio listeners all over the country to send their dimes directly to the White House. The campaign proved to be hugely successful and the organization's name soon was changed to the March of Dimes. Over the next 17 years, the organization focused on funding research to develop a vaccine against polio. While researchers worked tirelessly in their labs, volunteers helped polio victims and their families around the country. Polio was finally eradicated in 1952 after the development of the Salk vaccine. As a result of March of Dimes efforts, virtually all babies now receive the Salk vaccine to prevent polio and there has not been a new case of the disease in the Western Hemisphere since 1991. Since 1958, the March of Dimes has been funding cutting-edge research and innovative programs to save babies from birth defects, premature birth and low birth weight. The March of Dimes is in every state as well as in Puerto Rico.
Q. What kind of successes have you had?
A. The March of Dimes is the one national organization that accomplished its mission - finding a cure for polio.
Q. What challenges does the organization currently face?
A. • Raising awareness about premature birth. It is not something most parents plan for in advance. When a baby comes early (before 37 weeks) the experience can be overwhelming. Any woman can deliver early, and we still aren't sure why. One of our priorities is to focus on research to try to prevent it. Women can do everything right - exercise, prenatal care, eat right - and still have a baby born too soon. Premature birth is the leading cause of infant death, and can sometimes lead to birth defects and a lifetime of disability.
• Educating women of childbearing age about the benefits of incorporating folic acid in their diets. Folic acid (in certain cereals, breads, leafy vegetables and multivitamins) can significantly reduce the occurrence of a particular birth defect that causes spina bifida. Women who are thinking of becoming pregnant should have at least 400 micrograms of folic acid per day.
• To continue our track record of success with research and educational efforts, more funding is needed. The March of Dimes works hard to ensure every dollar goes to support the mission. In fact, in Illinois 90 cents of every dollar raised through events and donations goes toward research and programs.
Q. What do you wish the community at large knew about the March of Dimes?
A. The March of Dimes was the first voluntary health organization to host a nationwide walk in 1970. Walks are so common now, but they started here first! Also, do you know who is on the back of the dime? President Franklin D. Roosevelt's portrait was placed on the dime to honor his commitment to the organization he founded. Think of us the next time you look at a dime, and get involved. The March of Dimes legacy and success is because of volunteers - thousands who are working across the country to make a difference in the lives of children.
Q. How can readers get involved?
A. It's easy to get involved with the March of Dimes. We have a number of fundraising events that provide opportunities for families, co-workers and individuals to come together to support the foundation. March for Babies, our annual walk, will be on Sunday, April 26. There are six Chicago-area sites - Chicago, Highland Park, Naperville, Midlothian, St. Charles and Elk Grove Village - and other locations throughout the state. Readers can also call our office and volunteer to work on a committee, assist at an event, or make a donation for any amount, no matter how small. Every penny and every dime can help! Families touched by our mission and services should also call us. We have numerous Ambassador Families who share their stories at our events and walks.
If you'd like your charity, community organization or service group featured, contact Christie Willhite at (630) 955-3536 or cwillhite@dailyherald.com.
Suburban Signature Chefs Auction
What: An evening of gourmet food and wine, with silent and live auctions, to raise awareness of and support for the March of Dimes' efforts on behalf of mothers and babies
When: 5:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 23
Where: Bobak's Signature Events, 6440 Double Eagle Drive, Woodridge
Tickets: $75 per person, available online or by telephone
Info: (312) 596-4722 or marchofdimes.com/illinois/suburbanchefs
Vital statistics
Amount donated to other organizations: The Illinois chapter of the March of Dimes awards more than $280,000 annually to other non-profit organizations that provide direct service to pregnant and parenting women
Number of full-time employees: 35 in the Illinois chapter
Number of volunteers: In Illinois, more than 3,000 volunteers work on committees, events and legislative activities to support the mission. On April 26, 20,000 Illinois volunteers will walk in our annual March for Babies
Current donation wish list
• Individuals, families and corporate partners to join March for Babies and walk on Sunday, April 26.
• Individuals and corporate partners to make donations or purchase tickets to events such as the Suburban Signature Chefs Auction on Oct. 23.
• Items such as tickets to sporting events, plays, dinners, etc., that can be auctioned at events.
>To donate:
To volunteer: (312) 596-4710 or il623@marchofdimes.com
Info: (312) 435-4007 or marchofdimes.com/illinois