HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Dear friend of the March of Dimes,

During this holiday season, I would like to take the time to let you know how thankful I am for dedicated volunteers and supporters like you. Without you, our organization would not have near the impact that we are able to have in our Southeast Texas Division. Volunteers are the life of the March of Dimes and we are very fortunate to be able to serve with you. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday !

Donna Blanchette Beth Mlcak

Southeast Texas Division

MEDIA ALERT: National Prematurity Awareness Day

WHAT: Every year, thousands of Southeast Texas families find themselves faced with the challenges of an unexpected premature birth of a son or daughter. In Texas, one in every seven babies is born premature. It is a crisis that has increased nationally by 36 percent during the last 25 years. National Prematurity Awareness Day is Tuesday, November 17th. A news conference will be held featuring Brent W. Bost, M.D. and Lauree L. Thompson, M.D. with CHRISTUS Hospital – St. Elizabeth. They will discuss premature birth in Southeast Texas and the toll it is taking on our infants. The parents of a graduate of the CHRISTUS Hospital - St. Elizabeth Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will also speak and be available to answer questions. Physicians are issuing a challenge to the Southeast Texas Community to support the March of Dimes
in their efforts to find a cure for premature birth and to
support families affected by it. By participating in the
2010 March for Babies, we will stand together to raise
awareness and support for research to tackle this crisis.

WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 17
10:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.

WHERE: CHRISTUS Hospital – St. Elizabeth
Board Room
2830 Calder Street, Beaumont, TX 77702

WHY: Premature birth is the most urgent infant health problem in the U.S. today, affecting more than half a million babies each year. The March of Dimes will announce its annual Report Card on Premature Birth during the news conference. In 2008, Texas received an F. The March of Dimes is committed to improving that score by funding research to find the answers to premature birth, helping women have a healthy pregnancy, and providing comfort and information to families whose children are born prematurely.


INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
Lauree L. Thompson, M.D.
Brent W. Bost, M.D.
Donna Blanchette, Division Director, March of Dimes
Families who have had a baby in the NICU and been impacted by the mission of the March of Dimes




B-ROLL/ PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:
CHRISTUS Hospital - St. Elizabeth Neonatal Intensive Care Unit prior to or following the news conference.

The March of Dimes Office has Moved

The March of Dimes local SETX office has moved! We are now located in the Foundation for Southeast Texas building downtown. ( 700 North St. Ste K, Beaumont, Texas 77701 ) This is a great blessing for the March of Dimes. The Foundation building is an office for nonprofit organizations.

"The mission of the Foundation for Southeast Texas shall be to make a positive difference in the quality of life in the area by encouraging philanthropic gifts and by assisting donors in achieving their charitable goals through the professional management and considered and caring distribution of such gifts."

However, we have limited access to email and phone at this time. Please know that your questions and calls are important to us. Voicemail and email will be checked multiple times, on a daily basis. Please be patient with us through our transition.