Agency Details:

March Of Dimes

The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. What better way to accomplish that than through fighting prematurity.

Description:
The March of Dimes in a non-profit organization that conducts fund raising events throughout Southeast Minnesota. We conduct 6 WalkAmerica events in SE Minnesota. We also have an 8K night run (Night Lights) and the Signature Chefs auction. Each of these events have small fund raising events attached to them to raise funds for education, education and advocasy.

History:
The March of Dimes was started in 1938 by Franklin D. Roosevelt in the fight against polio. In 1953, the original mission of the March of Dimes was met (the Salk vaccine was invented by Jonas Salk through March of Dimes funding). At that point, the mission of the March of Dimes changed from combating polio to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. The orgnization is able to claim the following victories:
1961: PKU screening test developed through work funded by the March of Dimes
1962: Oral polio vaccination developed by Dr. Albert Sabin through March of Dimes funding.
1973: March of Dimes funded research established that drinking alcohol during pregnancy causes birth defects.
1976: March of Dimes calls for regional system of neo-natal intensive care units (NICU's) to care for very sick babies.
1994: March of Dimes begins national campaign urging women to take folic acid to help prevent neural tube defects.
1996: With the March of Dimes support, the FDA approves fortification of grain products with folic acid.

Contact person: Nancy Berning, SE MN Division Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (507) 282-9673

Address:

121 23rd Ave SW Rochester, MN 55902 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.marchofdimes.com

Directions:

We are located in the same buliding as the Emergency Vet and located close to Shorewood.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: unknown   Nearest Bus Stop: unknown

Last updated on August 12, 2009