March of Dimes sets record 

March of Dimes sets record

Hundreds of people in Pitt County recently walked together to raise more than $75,000 in support of the March of Dimes' efforts to save babies from premature birth.

WalkAmerica is the March of Dimes' biggest annual fundraiser. The money is used to fight against prematurity ' a growing problem that the organization says affects half a million babies born in the U.S. every year.

"I am proud that Pitt County was one of the thousands of communities nationwide that made WalkAmerica a rousing success," said Hans Engels, WalkAmerica chairman.

"I know we can make an enormous difference in the fight to find out why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it. With everyone's help, we move closer to the day when all babies will be born healthy and full term ' and more families will know the joy of having a healthy baby," Engels said.

WalkAmerica broke records in attendance in Pitt County. The money raised was almost three times greater than last year's totals. DSM and Dyneema presented a check for more than $50,000 to the March of Dimes at the WalkAmerica Awards and Appreciation Reception held at the Hilton Greenville.

Other Pitt County sponsors were Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Grady-White Boats.

The number of babies born prematurely each year has increased by 30 percent since 1983. In Pitt County, one in every seven babies was born prematurely in 2003. Some of those babies died; others face lifelong disability. The money raised in WalkAmerica supports research and programs to find out how to prevent premature births and how to help families who experience it.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency with the mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies, and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth.

For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org.
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