Julie Bowen, Laila Ali, Joey Lawrence, Lisa Leslie, Sarah Chalke, Rock Harper, Kelly Price and Maria Quiban Join The March of Dimes at the 5th Annual Celebration of Babies Luncheon

Event Benefits California Babies

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Samantha Harris today hosted the 5th Annual March of Dimes Celebration of Babies luncheon at the Four Season Hotel Los Angeles. The event is sponsored by the March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101113/DC01070 )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20101113/DC01070 )

Celebration of Babies recognizes prominent individuals, including Hollywood moms and dads, who are celebrating the birth of their children and who are role models for March of Dimes' commitment to improving the health of babies. The 2010 March of Dimes' Celebrity Volunteers, or "Stork Club," includes Sarah Chalke & Jamie Afifi, Ali Larter & Hayes MacArthur, Joey & Chandie Lawrence, Tiffani Thiessen & Brady Smith, Jenna Elfman & Bodhi Elfman, Rock Harper & Tamara Harper, Lisa Leslie & Michael Locke, and Maria Quiban & Sean Whitesell.  The "Stork Club" members are individuals who have had or are expecting babies in 2010.  

Prior Stork Club members include, Nicole Richie & Joel Madden, Tori Spelling & Dean McDermott, Nancy O'Dell, Julie Bowen & Scott Phillips, Nicole Sullivan & Jason Packham, Alimi & Dahn Ballard, Kellie Martin & Keith Christian, Melissa Joan Hart & Mark Wilkerson, Lauren Sanchez & Patrick Whitesell, Hank Azaria and Katie Wright, and Diane Farr & Seung Chung.

In attendance were Storks Club Celebrity Volunteers Sarah Chalke & Jamie Afifi, Joey & Chandie Lawrence, Chef Rock Harper & Tamara Harper, Lisa Leslie & Michael Locke, and Maria Quiban & Sean Whitesell.  Also in attendance were Julie Bowen, Laila Ali, Sean Patrick Thomas & Aonika Laurent Thomas, Kelly Price, Nicole Sullivan, Kellie Martin & Keith Christian, Marisa Coughlan, Ian and Erin Ziering, Kent King, Minae Noji, and Cleon King.  Joshua Hoffman, age 7, March of Dimes 2010 National Ambassador, told the crowd his own story of surviving a premature birth.  Go to https://public.me.com/endusermod  for video clips from the red carpet and luncheon.  

The Celebration of Babies luncheon also honored three individuals who exemplify the March of Dimes commitment to improving the health of babies by helping moms have a healthy full term pregnancy.  Dr. Amy Stenson, Obstetrician/Gynecologist, receives the Global Impact Award, given to an individual who has had a positive global impact in preventing premature birth, birth defects, and infant mortality. Dr. Charles Simmons, Jr., Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, is being awarded the Golden Rattle Award, which is given to an individual who advocates for babies and who shares the goal that every baby be given a healthy start.  Dr. Jenn Berman, Psychotherapist, Sport Psychologist, Consultant Author, Speaker and Media Figure, receives the Community Award, presented to an individual or organization that shares the March of Dimes commitment to improve the health of babies and does so by reaching out to the moms and babies in the community.

The Celebration of Babies luncheon commemorates March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness Month, a time when the organization galvanizes the nation around the serious problem of preterm birth.

Premature birth is the #1 cause of death during the first month of life. Even babies born just a few weeks too soon can face serious health challenges and are at risk for lifelong disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, lung problems, and vision and hearing loss. March of Dimes provides more information about premature birth at marchofdimes.com/fight.  

About March of Dimes

Through research, education, advocacy and community programs, the March of Dimes is a champion for the health of all babies. For more than 70 years the March of Dimes has enjoyed a rich history of Hollywood celebrity support.  Stars like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra and many others have volunteered for March of Dimes lifesaving campaigns.  Proceeds from the Los Angeles Celebration of Babies luncheon benefit March of Dimes mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.  Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE March of Dimes