Local Hospital Joins March of Dimes for Healthier Babies

Texas Children's Hospital Sponsors 2012 March for Babies

HOUSTON, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an average week, 1,001 Texas babies are born preterm, and 48 babies die before their first birthday. Prematurity is the leading cause of death for newborns, and Texas Children's Hospital wants to help change this as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2012 Houston March for Babies. To view a video about the Texas Children's sponsorship, please see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqe1b7Nf7SM.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120221/DC56615)

Texas Children's Hospital understands the importance of the March of Dimes' work to help moms and babies. More than 2,000 infants are cared for each year in Texas Children's neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), the largest NICU in the nation. The hospital will also begin delivering babies at Texas Children's Pavilion for Women in spring 2012 where it will have additional NICU services offered through a level II and level III NICU.

"Texas Children's is dedicated to healthy children, so our mission aligns perfectly with the March of Dimes," said Mark A. Wallace, president and CEO of Texas Children's Hospital. "The preterm birth rate in Houston is 13.6 percent, and that is unacceptable. The community has to work together to give more babies a healthy start to life, and that's why we are committed to the 2012 Houston March for Babies."

March for Babies, the March of Dimes' largest fundraiser, funds lifesaving research and educational programs aimed at helping moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies and strong, healthy babies. Last year, the Houston March for Babies raised more than $3.2 million and hosted 45,000 walkers, making it the largest and most successful March for Babies event in the country.

"Texas Children's Hospital is world-renowned for their care and treatment of babies and children, and we are honored to have them as the Presenting Sponsor of this year's March for Babies," said Ellen Efsic, executive director of the March of Dimes – Houston Division. "Their passion for healthy babies will be a major driving factor in the success of our event. We are grateful for the time and support they are able to lend us."

Houstonians—and out-of-towners—can start a team with co-workers, family or friends at marchforbabies.org. Fundraising is made easy with Facebook and mobile applications to track donations on the run. This year's walk is chaired by Scott McClelland, president of H-E-B Houston, and will be held on Sunday, April 29, at the University of Houston.

To view a video about the Texas Children's sponsorship, please see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqe1b7Nf7SM.

About March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the nation's leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Last year, the March of Dimes – Houston Division hosted the nation's largest March for Babies, the organization's premier annual fundraising event. For the latest resources and information, visit www.marchofdimes.com or www.nacersano.org, or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Texas Children's Hospital
Texas Children's Hospital, a not-for-profit organization, is committed to creating a community of healthy children through excellence in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked among the top children's hospitals in the nation, Texas Children's has recognized Centers of Excellence in multiple pediatric subspecialties including the Cancer and Heart Centers, and operates the largest primary pediatric care network in the country. Texas Children's is completing a $1.5 billion expansion, which includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; and Texas Children's Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston. For more information on Texas Children's, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news from Texas Children's by visiting the online newsroom and on Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.

Media contacts:
Courtenay Siegfried
March of Dimes - Houston
(713) 516-1055
[email protected]

Christy Brunton
Texas Children's Hospital
(832) 824-2645
[email protected]

SOURCE Texas Children's Hospital