Partnerships & Collaborations

March of Dimes

The mission of the March of Dimes (MOD) is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies’ lives. MOD researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: prematurity, birth defects and LBW. MOD advocacy efforts focus on public policies and programs that relate to the foundation’s mission of improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality and on issues that pertain to nonprofit organizations.

Communication Vehicles: MOD provides extensive information on pregnancy and newborn health, premature birth, genetic research and health insurance for parents, health care professionals and the public through a variety of vehicles. These include:

• The organization’s Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education Center provides women with free one-on-one, confidential answers to their questions about pregnancy, preconception, newborn screening and related topics.
• The center provides a wide variety of materials including mama, an annual magazine full of practical and important information for parents-to-be.
• There is a monthly e-mail newsletter that contains news on the foundation, a personal spotlight and tips for a healthy pregnancy.
• The Web site hosts online discussion opportunities for parents and professionals to 7 share stories and meet NICU families.

Publications: MOD fact sheets cover a wide range of perinatal and genetic topics, with many available in both English and Spanish. Medical experts review each publication to ensure that consumers are receiving accurate and timely information. MOD also publishes a wide variety of reasonably-priced materials for health consumers and professionals including pamphlets, magazines, videos, DVDs, posters, curricula and CD-ROMs.

A limited number of bereavement materials are available at no charge for parents or other family members in the United States who have experienced the loss of a baby between conception and the first month of life. They are available in English and Spanish. Health care providers and others interested in purchasing the bereavement materials should call MOD at 800-367-6630 or e-mail bkit@marchofdimes.com.

Data: See Chapter 5 for PeriStats information.

Services: Continuing education information including a Nursing Education Program which includes online modules that are self-directed learning opportunities and modules in print to help perinatal nurses integrate scientific and clinical advances into the care of mothers and babies. Nursing modules are written for nurses, by nurses and are a cost-effective way for nurses and certified nurse-midwives to earn continuing education credit. Nursing modules are $20 each. Call 800-367-6630 to order.

Membership: Chapters are located in all States and can be found on their Web site. Local chapters support community programming, sponsor fundraising events and provide small grants.

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
888-663-4637
914-428-7100
914-428-8203 (fax)
www.marchofdimes.com

Developed by the Program Support Center at First Candle with collaborative assistance from the Sudden and Unexpected Infant/Child Death and Pregnancy Loss Centers.