Supporters Walk & Raise More than $360k for March of Dimes via March for Babies

May 6, 2011 - PRLog -- The skies may have been dark and rainy on April 30th, but hundreds of walkers still came out to walk and raise money for the Southwest Coast Division March for Babies to benefit the March of Dimes.  Every step they took and every dollar they raised will help babies to be born healthy.

More than $360,000 was raised collectively in Southwest Florida for the March of Dimes! Lee County led the way with more than 1,500 walkers and 150 teams raising over $205,000! Collier County also supported the effort with 400 walkers and 85 teams raising over $85,000. Not far behind, in Charlotte County 250 walkers raised over $70,000 in 60 teams.

Every year, more than half a million babies are born premature. Too small and too soon, they fight for their lives.  The March of Dimes is committed to reducing this toll by funding research to find the answers to premature birth and providing comfort and information to families who are affected.  

Funds raised by March for Babies help support prenatal wellness programs, research grants, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) family support programs and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies.  

For those that missed out on the March for Babies due to the weather, it’s not too late to make it a sunny day for families and babies.  Contact the local March of Dimes office at (239) 433-3463 to turn in money collected to help give every baby a healthy start. Donations may also be mailed to 6314 Corporate Court, Suite 140, Fort Myers, FL 33919.

Let the sun shine for moms, dads and babies.  Every dollar will make a big difference for the tiniest babies.

Funds raised by March for Babies in Florida help support prenatal wellness programs, research grants, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) family support programs and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies. For more information about the March of Dimes Florida Chapter, call the Southwest Coast division at (239) 433-3463 or visit http://www.marchofdimes.com/florida.

The March for Babies is sponsored nationally by the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter Kmart, Farmers Insurance Group, Bayer HealthCare, CIGNA, Famous Footwear, FedEx, Sanofi Pasteur, United Airlines, First Response, and Mission Pharmacal. To join an event near you, visit http://www.marchforbabies.org.

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 http://www.marchofdimes.com or http://www.nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/#!/MarchofDimesSWFL) and follow us on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/marchofdimes).