April 8, 2008
March of Dimes walk to be held at Presentation College
ABERDEEN, S.D. --The March of Dimes organization’s annual March for Babies will be held at Presentation College on Saturday, April 19. Formerly known as WalkAmerica, the 39th annual March for Babies will be held at hundreds of locations nationwide to champion the needs of mothers and babies.
"Historically the March of Dimes has donated millions of dollars to research and education, which ultimately led to a vaccine for polio," said Dr. Margie Washnok, associate professor of nursing at PC. "The March of Dimes organization has helped countless families, and we’re excited to be a part of this year’s March for Babies."
Nearly half a million participants walked in last year’s March, which raised almost $117 million for research and educational programs aimed at helping women across the country to have healthy babies.
"The money we raise in Aberdeen and the state of South Dakota is used for community service, advocacy, education and research," said Megan Colwell, associate community director of the March of Dimes South Dakota chapter. "Seventy-six percent of this money stays in South Dakota to carry out the mission of the March of Dimes: to make sure that every baby is born a healthy baby."
The five-mile walk starts at 10 a.m. on April 19, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. at the Strode Activity Center on the Presentation College campus. Lunch will follow the walk at the Strode Center.
Participants can sign up to walk as a team or individually. The March of Dimes asks for a $10 minimum donation to participate. For more information or to register for the event, contact Colwell at 1-800-275-1021 or mcolwell@marchofdimes.com, or visit www.marchforbabies.org.
###
About March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit www.marchofdimes.com.
About Presentation College
Presentation College is an independent Catholic educational institution, sponsored by the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Founded in 1922, Presentation College is a specialty Health Science Baccalaureate Institution located in Aberdeen, SD, with branch campuses in Eagle Butte, SD and Fairmont, MN. Students at Presentation College are presented with unlimited opportunities to grow intellectually, personally, professionally, and spiritually. For more information visit our website at www.presentation.edu.
Media Contact:
Megan Colwell
Associate Community Director
March of Dimes
South Dakota Chapter
1.800.275.1021
Tarah Jahnig
Coordinator of Friends and College Relations
Presentation College
605.229.8378