From: Lefurge, Leigh-Anne [mailto:LLefurge@marchofdimes.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2008 4:45 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients
Subject: $300,000 Raised for Babies at March for Babies in Hartford

Press Release

Contact: Leigh-Anne Lefurge  860-812-0080 x. 315 (w) 860-670-5579 (c)

March for Babies Brings Hundreds of Supporters Out to Hartford

Premier March of Dimes Event Raised $300,000 to Help Every Baby Be Born Healthy

(Hartford, CT), (April 27, 2008) — More than 1,300 walkers joined together on Sunday to raise an expected $300,000 for March of Dimes March for Babies, formerly known as WalkAmerica, to benefit all babies—those born healthy as well as those who need help to survive and thrive.

Premature birth touches half a million babies and their families every year including over 4, 200 a year in Connecticut . Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities.   More than 120,000 babies are born with serious birth defects that can mean a lifetime of disability. Babies born healthy need champions, too, to ensure they have access to newborn screening and preventive health care. The March of Dimes is there for all babies.

The money raised through March for Babies, and other March of Dimes fundraising events, supports lifesaving research, community services, education and advocacy that helps babies get a healthy start.

Greater Hartford March for Babies is presented by Northeast Utilities and sponsors include CIGNA, Hartford Wolf Pack Community Foundation, Pullman & Comley, LLC, Liberty Mutual, Hartford Hospital and Lite 100.5 WRCH .

March for Babies in Connecticut is sponsored by CIGNA, NBC 30 and Bob’s Discount Furniture.  In 2008, national March for Babies sponsors are CIGNA, Continental Airlines, Famous Footwear, Farmers, FedEx, Grain Foods Foundation, Liberty Tax Services, nesting.com, and Kmart, the March of Dimes number one corporate partner which has raised more than $63 million for babies.  Additional national sponsorship is provided by Discovery Health, Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Outdoor Services and Ther-Rx.

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. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.