| |
March of Dimes Selects Actress Vanessa Williams for Second Year as 2002 National Ambassador Program Celebrity Spokesperson
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., January 8, 2002—Vanessa Williams, of the popular Showtime Network series Soul Food, has been named honorary spokesperson for the March of Dimes 2002 National Ambassador Program, the first celebrity to be selected for a second year of service in this role. Throughout the year, Ms. Williams will continue her work to raise awareness of the importance of maternal and infant health and the March of Dimes mission to prevent birth defects and infant mortality. The March of Dimes National Ambassador Program is an annual campaign that puts a face on the March of Dimes mission -- the face of a healthy child who was saved by March of Dimes research, programs, or educational campaigns designed to improve infant health. The 2001-2002 National Ambassador Justin Washington was born four months premature weighing less than two pounds and today is a healthy seven-year-old, thanks to treatments developed in part by research funded by the March of Dimes.
"I know how important it is for babies to get a healthy start, like my son did," said Vanessa Williams. "However, more than 1,200 babies are born premature every day. I really care about babies, mothers and each of us being empowered with information to take better care of ourselves—particularly in the African American community, where prematurity and low birthweight is the leading cause of death for infants."
A talented singer and actress, Ms. Williams became a national March of Dimes representative in 2000. On television, she plays "Maxine" in the Showtime Network's original series Soul Food. She received an NAACP Image Award for her regular role on Murder One and a recurring role in the award-winning series Chicago Hope. Currently, she is writing songs for her upcoming debut album.
"Vanessa Williams has been a significant voice in the fight to improve the health of mothers and babies throughout the country," said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "We are thrilled that she will continue these efforts serving as the celebrity spokesperson for our National Ambassador Program in 2002."
Justin Washington – March of Dimes National Ambassador
Vanessa will continue her work with the 2002 National Ambassador, Justin Washington, and his parents Dorenda and Kraig Washington of Miami, FL. Born four months premature and weighing just one pound and eight and a half ounces, Justin had to struggle for every breath. Today, he is a healthy seven-year-old who travels nationwide with his parents to share their personal story with volunteers, community organizations, celebrities, business leaders, media and government officials and to increase public awareness of the March of Dimes mission. The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at www.marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at www.nacersano.org.
|
|
