Dear friend,
The March of Dimes means hope for all babies. And we are making progress — the rate of premature birth declined in 2007 for the first time in many years.
But in 2009, we face great challenges in continuing to fund our lifesaving research and programs. I am sorry to bring bad news, but I must tell you that even though tens of thousands of people have signed up for March for Babies, our fundraising is down by 15 percent. That means we cannot support babies and families as strongly as we did just last year.
Recently, we made the difficult decision to cut $3 million in research grants — funding that was urgently needed to develop new treatments for babies born too soon or with birth defects. We planned to bring NICU Family Support® to 20 new hospitals in 2009. Now, I fear we won’t meet this goal. This program, which provides much-needed information and comfort to parents with a baby in newborn intensive care, is now in jeopardy.
I know that you care about the health of moms and babies because you participated in our walk before. I am writing to you today to let you know that your help is need more than ever in 2009. Please go to marchforbabies.org and sign up for this important campaign. Your participation will help restore hope to the millions of families who look to us for information, leadership and scientific breakthroughs that improve the health of babies.
The March of Dimes means hope for all babies. Thank you for not letting them down.
With Gratitude,
Dr. Jennifer L. Howse
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