March of Dimes

March of Dimes. The organization was founded by Franklin D. Roosevelt and Basil O'Connor in 1938 as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to combat infantile paralysis caused by poliovirus, with the help of Eleanor Roosevelt and Charles Evans Hughes. The organization's initial goal was to raise funds for polio research and to support polio survivors, including those affected by the 1937 polio epidemic in the United States. With the help of Hollywood stars like Eddie Cantor and Bing Crosby, the organization was able to raise significant funds for polio vaccine research, led by Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin.

● History

The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis was established in 1938, with Basil O'Connor as its president, and was later renamed March of Dimes in 1976. The organization's early work focused on supporting polio research and providing aid to polio survivors, including those treated by Sister Elizabeth Kenny and Dr. Robert W. Lovett. The organization played a crucial role in the development of the inactivated poliovirus vaccine by Jonas Salk and the oral poliovirus vaccine by Albert Sabin, with the support of National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization. The success of these vaccines led to the near eradication of polio in the United States, with the last case reported in 1979 at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City.

● Mission

The mission of the organization is to improve the health of mothers and babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality, with the support of American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The organization works to achieve this mission by funding research and providing education and community programs, in partnership with National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and World Health Organization. The organization also advocates for policies and programs that support the health of mothers and babies, including the Affordable Care Act and the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant.

● Programs

The organization offers a range of programs and services to support the health of mothers and babies, including prenatal care and newborn screening programs, in collaboration with American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and March of Dimes Premature Birth Campaign. The organization also provides education and resources for expectant mothers and new parents, including the March of Dimes Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education Center and the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program, with the support of National Organization of Rare Disorders and Society for Pediatric Research. Additionally, the organization funds research on topics such as premature birth and birth defects, with the help of National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and Environmental Protection Agency.

● Fundraising

The organization raises funds through a variety of events and campaigns, including the March for Babies and the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction, with the support of United Way and Kiwanis International. The organization also receives funding from corporate sponsors and individual donors, including Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble, as well as Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. The organization has also partnered with celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Nick Cannon to raise awareness and funds for its mission, including the March of Dimes Celebrity Golf Tournament and the March of Dimes Walk for Babies.

● Impact

The organization has had a significant impact on the health of mothers and babies in the United States and around the world, with the help of World Health Organization and United Nations Children's Fund. The organization's efforts have contributed to a significant decline in infant mortality and birth defects, as well as a reduction in the incidence of polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Center for Health Statistics. The organization's work has also led to improvements in prenatal care and newborn screening, and has helped to increase access to health care for mothers and babies, with the support of American Academy of Family Physicians and National Association of Community Health Centers. Today, the organization continues to work towards its mission, with the help of partners like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Category:Health organizations