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Throughout our 70-year history, the March of Dimes has saved millions of babies from death or disability.
The March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to save America's young from the terrifying disease called polio, which killed or disabled thousands of children. While scientists worked in their laboratories, Americans from all walks of life responded to this national crisis by pitching in to raise funds for research and by helping those suffering from polio, and their families. The result: in April 1955, the Salk polio vaccine was declared "safe, effective, and potent.”
With the defeat of polio, the March of Dimes focused its formidable volunteer and funding resources on an even greater challenge -- saving babies from birth defects. As the leading cause of infant mortality in this country, birth defects present a critical health problem. Of the more than 3,000 known birth defects, the causes of about 70 percent of them have yet to be discovered.

The Foundation also is in the forefront of cutting-edge research into the causes of premature birth and low birthweight, the second leading cause of infant death in the U.S. Each year, more than half a million babies are born too soon, or too small. These tiny babies are at increased risk for lasting medical problems and are more likely to die before their first birthday than babies born weighing at least 5.5 pounds.

The March of Dimes is meeting these challenges through a number of effective strategies, including:
• promoting groundbreaking scientific research that expands the frontiers of medical knowledge in areas like gene therapy and premature births.
• advocating for legislation at all levels of government to enable mothers and babies to get the health care they need.
• vigorously conducting public education campaigns that tell parents about steps they can take to help their babies be born healthy.
• responding to the needs of mothers, fathers and babies in their communities with hands-on programs that make a difference in their lives.
• Updating health care professionals with important information on clinical practice and technology in providing care for moms and babies.

While the March of Dimes has made major advances in its fight to save babies, there is still much work to be done. Babies need cures, treatments, and preventions. Parents need information and answers. Both need champions -- everyday people who show they care in a million different ways. People who believe, like Franklin Roosevelt did, that when we work together, we can achieve the impossible.

“Early in our history,” Roosevelt once said, “we realized the basic wealth of our land is in its healthy, enlightened children, trained to assume the responsibilities and enjoy the privileges of a democracy. The well being of our youth is indeed our foremost concern -- their health and happiness our enduring responsibility.”