View the winning video

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., DECEMBER 6, 2007 – An aspiring director of feature films and commercials captured the hearts of the public with an inspiring video that has won top prize in the March of Dimes “Every Baby Has a Story’’ public service ad contest.

“This was a great way for people to see my work unfiltered,” David Pestka, 32, of Stamford, CT, said this week. Pestka said he learned a lot, not only about filmmaking, but also about the health of mothers and babies. “This couldn’t be better timing. My wife and I are starting to plan our own family.’’

Mr. Pestka’s video, “Story Inside,’’ won 36 percent of the nearly 3,500 votes cast by the public among the three finalist videos posted on the March of Dimes Web site in November.  The other two videos, “My Story, Eleni’’ and “Daddy’s Lullaby’’ garnered 34 and 30 percent respectively.

“David’s video was very moving and compelling,’’ said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “It showed just how much a baby’s health means to families across the country.’’

“The idea for ‘Story Inside’ came from the March of Dimes ‘Every Baby Has A Story’ theme,’’ said Pestka of his video, which is in a catchy rhyme. The video also touches on health insurance, advocacy and research and prematurity. One memorable line is, “Some of our babies are not getting old – some of their stories are not being told. The March of Dimes fights so our babies survive.’’
          
As the winner of the video contest, Pestka will receive a check for $5,000, and a lunch in his honor at the March of Dimes National Office in White Plains.            
     
In total, the March of Dimes received more than 80 video entrees. The 30 and 60-second videos submitted by the three finalists were posted for viewing during Prematurity Awareness Month, between November 1 and November 30.  All entries interpreted the theme “Every Baby Has A Story’’ to raise awareness of a serious health issue like premature birth.

“Story Inside’’ will be considered by the March of Dimes as its 2008 public service announcement to broadcast and cable TV stations across the country.

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.