1. Help give every baby a healthy start! September 11, 2013

2. We stand for babies. All babies.

3. What does the March of Dimes do? The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Premature birth means a baby is born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. 1 in 8 babies is born too soon: 1,450 babies every day. Each year, nearly 13 million babies are born prematurely worldwide. Over 1 million babies die as a result of their preterm birth. Rate of premature birth increased by 36 percent in the past 20 years.

4. “Speaking” of Who We Are Provide comfort and information to families with a newborn in intensive care Support all-important, Nobel- prize winning research offering hope for preventions and solutions for babies born too soon or with a birth defect Fund amazing research by the best scientists to learn ways to make more pregnancies go a full nine months. Fight for health insurance for all pregnant women and children Push for newborn screening that could save lives and prevent birth defects

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6. Collegiate Council and Other College Leadership Programs Goals:  To spread March of Dimes public health messages to the next generation of parents.  To develop the personal leadership skills to help prepare for a future of community involvement.  To raise funds to help save babies through events like March for Babies  To build a volunteer base for the future of the March of Dimes.

7. The National Challenge Today Each year in the United States: More than 500,000 babies are born prematurely 120,000 babies are born with a birth defect 28,000 babies die before reaching their first birthday 9 million children don’t have health coverage Source: National Center for Health Statistics, 2004 final natality and 2004 period linked birth/infant death data; U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 Current Population Survey. Prepared by March of Dimes Perinatal Data Center, 2007.

8. 8 Why should we be invested? The March of Dimes touches all of our lives: Were you born premature? Do you know someone who was born premature or with birth defects? Did you have the polio vaccine? Preterm birth costs 15 times that of a healthy, full term delivery – it costs businesses almost $7.5 billion a year As future healthcare professionals we should want to give every baby a healthy start in life. 19

10. Skittles Ice Breaker Red- If you were given a million dollars today, what would you buy with it? Orange – If you could have dinner with any famous historical figure, who would it be? Why ? Green- If you were not in college right now, what would you be doing right now? Purple – What was your favorite childhood TV show? 10