Celebrity Spokesperson Tom Bergeron Invites Fans To Join His Team and Help Prevent Premature Birth

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., MARCH 12, 2007 – The nation's oldest and best-loved annual walking event – March of Dimes WalkAmerica – will take place the weekend of April 28-29 in most communities, raising funds to help prevent birth defects, infant mortality and stem the growing crisis of premature birth.

This year, “Dancing With The Stars'' host Tom Bergeron, a dedicated, long-time national volunteer of the March of Dimes, will serve as the National WalkAmerica 2007 Spokesperson.

“I love dancing with the stars, but there is nothing more important than walking to save babies,'' said Mr. Bergeron, who will be participating in WalkAmerica in Los Angeles on April 28. Anyone can join in Mr. Bergeron's efforts by joining “Team Tom” at www.walkamerica.org/teamtom and registering to participate in WalkAmerica or making a donation.
Last year, the March of Dimes raised $110.3 million to support research and other programs to save babies from serious health problems, including premature birth, the leading killer of newborns. Prematurity has increased by more than 30 percent since 1981, and now affects more than 500,000 babies each year. This year, organizers hope to exceed that amount.

WalkAmerica has raised more than $1.6 billion for the health of America's babies since 1970. These funds have allowed the March of Dimes to support lifesaving efforts such as:

• Initiation of special intensive care nurseries in hospitals to care for sick newborns;
• Research on surfactant therapy, which helps babies born with underdeveloped lungs to breathe;
• Folic acid education campaigns to help prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine known as neural tube defects;
• Community grants to help more pregnant women get access to prenatal care;
       
Approximately 20,000 teams will participate in WalkAmerica nationwide, drawn from corporations, unions, schools, clubs, Family Teams, and other organizations. WalkAmerica takes place in 1,100 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Register for WalkAmerica by visiting walkamerica.org or by calling 1-800-525-WALK.

On March 29th, Tom Bergeron will conduct a satellite media tour to help increase participation in WalkAmerica.

In 2007, National WalkAmerica Sponsors are CIGNA, Continental Airlines, Famous Footwear, Farmers, FedEx and Kmart, the March of Dimes number one corporate partner who has raised more than $55.5 million to save babies. Additional national sponsorship is provided by Discovery Health, Grain Foods Foundation, Mead Johnson Nutritionals and Outdoor Services.

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.  For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.