As a healthcare executive and community supporter, I have seen the wonderful work of the March of Dimes. It still amazes me this organization fulfilled its mission of eradicating polio in the U.S. After this great 1958 success, leaders decided to continue the organization and focus on preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Through extensive research, the March of Dimes has not only discovered the genetic causes of birth defects, but has provided education and developed best practices for healthy pregnancies.



In North Texas, we still experience more than 12 percent preterm birth rates. A healthy delivery costs an average of $4,000 versus $54,000 for preterm infants. We all know a family member or friend whose infant needed treatment in the neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU). The March of Dimes supplies NICU support specialists to assist these families during these stressful situations.

As we walk at Dallas’ White Rock Lake or Fort Worth’s Panther Island Pavilion on Saturday, April 12, we will be walking for the future of healthy babies. This terrific activity is an example of residents doing their part to promote the message of the continual fight to decrease preterm births and birth defects in North Texas.

As a father and grandfather who has rejoiced at the gift of life, let me personally say I look forward to the day when all babies are born healthy. We can achieve this goal if we work together to educate our society on the importance of good pre-natal care. We must also continue the extensive research on birth defects and infant mortality just as Dr. Jonas Salk and Dr. Albert Sabin developed their now-famous vaccines for polio. As a young boy, I still remember standing in line at the American Legion in my hometown in Virginia for a sugar cube soaked with the polio vaccine.

This cause is a personal one for me. My family has been blessed and my son and daughter-in-law are expecting another child this summer. Thanks to the diligent work of the March of Dimes, research and the education of healthy habits continue to positively impact newborns.

Thank you for your support of the March for Babies. With your help, we can achieve our 2014 goal. For more information, on the Dallas walk, please click here. To learn about the Fort Worth walk, please click here.



Dallas Walk

Fort Worth Walk