From polio to prematurity, the March of Dimes, a national nonprofit, has worked tirelessly for nearly 80 years to help American women have healthier babies.
Founded in 1938 by then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat the polio epidemic — Roosevelt himself was stricken by the disease — the charity has broadened its focus since the development of the polio vaccine in 1955 to include general maternal and infant well-being.
The group’s focus over the last 40 years has turned largely to supporting women with premature babies as well as combating infant health afflictions.
An annual Walk for Babies, first started in 1970, raises money for the organization and its research efforts. Locally, the Walk for Babies has been organized with sponsorship from the Greenwood Leflore Hospital. Last year’s walk, held in May, raised $6,500 for the charity.
The charity also organizes the annual Johnny Evans Delta Telethon to raise money for the charity. This year’s event, based out of Greenville, is scheduled for February.
More information about the March of Dimes can be found on the group’s website, www.marchofdimes.org, or by calling the group’s Mississippi chapter office at (601) 933-1071.
• Contact Bryn Stole at 581-7235 or bstole@gwcommonwealth.com.
