Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Presbyterian Healthcare President Mark Billings will serve as chair for the 2010 March of Dimes’ annual fundraiser, March for Babies. Taking place on April 24 in uptown Charlotte, March for Babies is the largest fundraiser for March of Dimes, and all funds from the walk are dedicated directly to research that prevents birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
Billings is committed to helping March of Dimes achieve their $500,000 goal for the 2010 walk, and he is passionate about the mission and what March of Dimes strives to do, both through research and community support.
“March of Dimes is a great organization that saves babies’ lives,” Billings said. “Their research has led to many medical breakthroughs that allow our youngest patients to survive, and it’s so important that they receive the funding to continue their research initiatives. Without March of Dimes, we wouldn’t have a cure for polio or have made so many advances that allow premature babies to survive.”
March of Dimes also provides support to families with a baby in a neonatal intensive care unit. They produce educational videos about parenting and how to cope with a baby’s diagnosis, which prove to be resourceful for families during tumultuous times.
“We are honored to have Mark Billings leading the way,” said Bill Neurohr, March of Dimes board chair. “When our leaders publicly stand with a cause they support, they show the whole community the value of volunteer service and community involvement.”
Premature birth affects more than half a million babies each year, with the number growing each day. Babies born too soon are more likely to have complications or disabilities, and March of Dimes invested more than $4.8 million in research in North Carolina in 2009 to find the answers to prevent that.
“I am excited to be a part of such a great cause,” Billings said. “We’ve come a long way in preventing premature birth and birth defects, but there is still so much to be done to ensure that all babies are born healthy, with a chance to lead a normal life. My Presbyterian Healthcare team and I will do everything we can to raise money for such a great organization.”
For more information about March of Dimes, visit www.marchofdimes.com. For more information about the March for Babies, including how to register and donate, visit www.marchforbabies.com. For more information about Presbyterian Healthcare, including extensive neonatology services, visit www.presbyterian.org.
