WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., NOVEMBER 1, 2007 – Vote now for your favorite among the three moving videos chosen as finalists in the March of Dimes “Every Baby Has a Story'' public service ad contest! Make your selection by going to marchofdimes.com/videocontest.
“We received more than 80 entrees. It was not easy to pick just three videos as so many of them revealed just how much a baby's health means to families,'' said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “We believe the finalists went that final step. These three videos are compelling viewing. We urge everyone to take time out to view the videos and vote.”
The winner of this nationwide contest for a user-generated video public service ad (PSA) for the March of Dimes will receive $5,000. The 30- and 60-second videos submitted by the three finalists will be available for viewing throughout November, which is Prematurity Awareness Month.
At the close of the voting period, the submission with the most votes will be declared the winner and will also be considered by the March of Dimes as its 2009 public service announcement for broadcast and cable TV stations across the country.
The finalists are:
• “Daddy's Lullaby,” submitted by Jonathan Pascual, age 36, of Torrance, CA. His video includes an original lullaby, composed and performed by Pascual, that accompanies scenes of his son Isiah in a neonatal intensive care unit. There are also snapshots of the family album. Speaking of Isiah, the singer reminisces “Remember you began to bloom and make your way.''
• “Story Inside,” submitted by David Pestka, 32, of Stamford, CT. His video is in a catchy rhyme and vividly illustrates the loss we risk when we can't save a premature baby. One memorable line is, “Some of our babies are not getting old – some of their stories are not being told.''
• “My Story, Eleni,” submitted by Roberto Oregel, 41, of Los Angeles, CA. His video features the cooing, crying and gurgles of a baby translated via subtitles, and ends with a little girl in the water at the beach and the words, “Thank you, March of Dimes, for giving me another chance.''
Prematurity Awareness Month is a time to recognize the growing crisis of premature birth and an opportunity for the March of Dimes to explain what Americans can do to help give every baby a healthy start in life.
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. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.
