As most of you know, I recently attended the March of Dimes Volunteer Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. It was truly a wonderful experience and I came home re-energized and more determined than ever to make a difference in our community by educating about premature birth and helping raise money in support of the March of Dimes. I have served on the National Mission Volunteer Advisory Council for the past two years. The committee is made up of parents, friends and family members that have been touched by the mission of the March of Dimes. It was my first time to meet the committee members in person because I missed the conference last year. So I was finally able to put faces to names and voices. I was touched by every one of them. Many have lost children and work tirelessly for the March of Dimes to ensure that other babies are born healthy. Most of them put me and my volunteer efforts to shame! (The top Family Team raised more than $100,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)The March of Dimes is embarking on a much needed re-branding campaign in 2008. Research showed that when asked, most people say they are aware of the March of Dimes and think it is a great organization, but few truly know what the organization does. Most knew it was affiliated with polio, but few knew what the organization did today. As conference attendees, we were some of the first to see the new ad campaign and I am very excited about the fresh new look and feel. Unfortunately I can’t tell you about it in detail until after the first of the year. But, I can tell you that the March of Dimes wants to make sure that every mom knows that the March of Dimes has worked diligently and effectively for the past 70 years to ensure the health of our nation’s babies. They want all pregnant women to turn to the March of Dimes for information about healthy pregnancies and babies.
While prematurity is the main focus of the organizations research grants currently, it is important to remember the March of Dimes has a powerful presence on both the state and national level lobbying for healthcare issues that are important for women and babies. Until the March of Dimes stepped in, the state of Texas was screening for a handful of birth defects (the heel prick done in the nursery soon after birth). Because of the March of Dimes, Texas is now screening for 27 of the 29 possible birth defects and the March of Dimes will continue to work until all birth defects are included in the testing. (Did you know that with many of these birth defects the heel prick test can alert doctors to a baby’s possible adverse reactions to simple proteins? This early detection can save babies lives and keep them from living with multiple disabilities.)
While in Washington, more than 450 volunteers visited the Hill to lobby in favor of SCHIP. While the outcome was not in our favor, the March of Dimes will continue to fight to make sure all women and children receive the medical care they need and deserve. Another fun fact, did you know that the March of Dimes lobbied for the fortification of our nation’s grain to help combat the rising numbers of Spina Bifida in our country? Well, they won and today cases of SP have been greatly reduced. Most women know that taking folic acid and prenatal vitamins is important to their babies’ health. They know because the March of Dimes spearheaded the educational campaign to inform them.
One of the highlights of the conference was hearing Sherri Shepherd speak. Sherri is a co-host on “The View.” You may also recognize her from roles on “Everybody Loves Raymond” (she was Robert’s partner on the police squad). Sherri also co-starred opposite Queen Latifah in “Beauty Shop.” Sherri is the mother of a premature baby born at 26 weeks. She gave a very touching (and hilarious) testimony. In the picture above, we are both wearing our Preemie Purple Hearts. These are necklaces made by the mother of a premature baby who now sells them to other mother’s of preemies to help raise money for the March of Dimes.
