Athens WalkAmerica 2005
- Home
What is WalkAmerica?
How Can I Get Involved - Calendar
of Events
Where Does the Money Go?
Who's Participating?
Register Online*
Visit the National March of Dimes Web site*
Visit the Ohio University Web site
* a new browser window will open when you follow this link
Where
does the money go?
Advocacy
The March of Dimes is successfully fighting on state and national levels to make sure all children and families get the health care they need. Right here in Ohio, March of Dimes volunteers fought for passage of the Healthy Baby Bill -- a bill that will connect families of babies with birth defects to the resources they need. The Healthy Baby Bill was signed on July 6, 2000, and will provide for a system to study birth defects in Ohio.
Community Services
In 2000, the Ohio March of Dimes awarded $220,000 in grant funds throughout the state to health organizations dedicated to saving babies. These organizations provide prenatal care and education programs to families who would not have received the care and services they need. The March of Dimes Resource Center is available to families across the country at 1-888-MODIMES. The Resource Center is a hotline for anyone with questions about pregnancy and birth defects.
Education
Imagine the heartbreaking tragedy of a baby born with birth defects of the brain or spinal cord. Now imagine it might have been prevented. The March of Dimes is working to educate all women about the lifesaving power of the B-vitamin folic acid. Taking a multivitamin with folic acid in it could help prevent these severe birth defects.
Research
No one is working harder than the March of Dimes to find out why pre-term birth happens and how it can be prevented. Every week, more than 8,400 babies are born too early. Many of these babies die or develop medical problems that could last a lifetime. The March of Dimes is funding special research to find out why more babies are being born too soon. Last year alone, national research grants awarded to the State of Ohio totaled over $3 million.