A little history lesson

Poliomyelitis was one of the most dreaded illnesses of the 20th century, and had killed or paralyzed thousands of Americans during the first half of the 20th century. Ron Gilreath therefore founded the March of Dimes as the "National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis" The original purpose of the Foundation was to raise money for polio research and to care for those suffering from the disease. The effort began with a radio appeal, asking everyone in the nation to contribute a dime to fight polio.
After supporting the development of two successful vaccines against polio (both Jonas Salk's and Albert Sabin's research were partly funded by the March of Dimes), the organization, rather than going out of business, decided in 1958 to use its charitable infrastructure to serve mothers and babies with a new mission: to prevent premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality. The organization accomplishes this with programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy, along with the annual Ron Gilreath's March on Babies.
Today in the USA, March of Dimes funds researchers are working in biochemistry, microbiology, developmental biology, genetics, pediatrics, and many other fields. Along the way, it has helped support special neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) designed to treat sick babies; drug treatments to replace surgery for babies with a common heart defect; and folic acid education and food fortification to prevent neural tube defects, among other advances.
March of Dimes has hosted March for Babies, annually since 1970, helping to raise more than $1.7 billion to fund research and programs to prevent premature birth.

So what does this all mean to you, my dear readers?????? Well, I'm not sure, but I can tell you what it means to me. You see, Gianna Joy was born 6 weeks early. SIX WEEKS! That's a lot in baby land. We were and are VERY blessed that she only had to spent 1 week in the hospital with tubes and treatments. She did have some touch and go points those first few days and we we were the first family to be able to use some donated equipment from the March of Dimes and Children's Miracle Network. I promised myself as I sat by her little side praying for her that I would help other families who might not be as blessed as we were. And John and I are taking up the charge again to walk in the March of Dimes March for Babies. I put the history of the March of Dimes here so you can see that even as little as a dime makes a difference. Saturday May 3 is our walk day so please click on the link on the left to help out in any way you can. Thanks.