March of Dimes

The March of Dimes uses 77 cents of every dollar you raise in March for Babies to support research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And your funds are used to bring comfort and information to families whose baby was born too soon, or sick.

Here are just some of the ways you've already helped:

When a baby is born too soon, even by just a few weeks, the brain and other organs haven't had time to fully develop. Our researchers are working on ways to prevent prematurity so that all babies get their important nine months.

Premature birth and certain birth defects can lead to blindness. Scientists are studying the genetic causes of prematurity and developing treatments to cure vision defects like retinitis pigmentosa.

Every year, more than 6,800 babies are born with an oral cleft. Our researchers identified a gene responsible for the condition and are working on preventions.

Fewer babies are born with neural tube birth defects like spina bifida as a result of March of Dimes folic acid education and fortification campaigns.

Heart defects affect 1 in every 100 babies and take more lives than any other birth defect. Our advances in diagnosis and surgical treatment mean better survival rates for the tiniest heart patients.

Surfactant and nitric oxide therapies now save the lives of tens of thousands of babies suffering from respiratory distress syndrome after they were born too soon.

Thanks to our volunteer advocacy efforts, most states now screen babies for 21 or more serious but treatable conditions. A tiny drop of blood from a newborn's heel could save a life.

There is a wonderful site you can check out to see what the March of Dimes organization has done for others.

Share Your Story

You can also read stories posted by everyday people about their struggles of birth and babies.

The money we raise for March for Babies will help:

- support all-important research offering preventions and solutions for babies born too soon or with birth defects
- educate women on things they can do to increase their chances of having a healthy baby
- provide comfort and information to families with a newborn in intensive care
- push for newborn screening and health insurance for all pregnant women and children