Monday, May 24, 2010

American Valve & Hydrant Does it Again

On May 2, 2010 American Valve and Hydrant held their 14th Annual Golf Tournament to benefit the March of Dimes!! They raised over $8,000 towards the 2010 March for Babies campaign.

The March of Dimes greatly appreciates their hard work and dedication to help save SETX babies!

Texas "Quality Improvement Summit"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ernie Pina-Sandoval 713-303-8002 epinasandoval@marchofdimes.com

Texas “Quality Improvement Summit”
Texas March of Dimes Partners with American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to Decrease Elective Inductions Prior to 39 Weeks

AUSTIN, TEXAS MAY 21, 2010 — One in every seven babies born in Texas is premature. The rate of preterm births has increased over 30% the past thirty years. Many of the babies born prematurely are “late pre-term births” - those born between 34 and 36 completed weeks gestation. However, even babies born at 35 weeks can have increased risk of infection, breathing problems, and are more likely to be admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Research has shown that 35 week babies have only 2/3 the brain mass they will have at 40 weeks.

The issue of elective inductions and c-sections prior to 39 weeks is a critical issue to be reviewed by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, in partnership with March of Dimes on Wednesday, May 26th at the Texas Medical Association in Austin. The two groups will partner to host the “Quality Improvement Summit” - Reducing Elective Inductions Prior to 39 Weeks. “Reducing non-medically indicated deliveries prior to 39 weeks gestation is important in improving the health of babies," said Scott D. Berns, MD, MPH, Senior Vice President of Chapter Programs - March of Dimes National Office. “The Texas Quality Improvement Summit is a shining example of how organizations working together can catalyze quality improvement initiatives to help moms and babies.”

The summit will bring together physicians, nurses, hospital administration and other stakeholders from around Texas. Best practices for decreasing elective inductions and c-sections will also be shared at the event. A soon to be released quality improvement toolkit, developed by the California Health Department, California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative and California Chapter of the March of Dimes will also be discussed with attendees, so they can consider implementing it within their own Texas hospital or teaching institution.

Exciting News

We learned exciting news when the new National Center for Health Statistics Preterm Birth Report was recently issued: Preterm birth rates have declined nationally from 12.8% in 2006 to 12.3% in 2008, a percentage change of 3.9%. The Texas rate decreased from 13.7% in 2006 to 13.3% in 2008. This is a percentage change of 2.9%. We also saw a decrease in our late preterm birth rates from 9.9% in 2006 to 9.6% in 2008. This is a percentage change of 3%. There has also been a decline in late preterm birth rates. The full report is attached.

This is the first time in nearly 3 decades that we have seen a 2-year decline in preterm birth rates!!!

In 2009 we saw very exciting results from March of Dimes Texas programs:
· Centering Pregnancy participants showed a 6.5% preterm birth rate compared with 13.7% state-wide
· Comenzando bien participants bien had a 2% preterm birth rate compared with 13.3% Hispanic state-wide rate
· Honey Child Program participants experienced a 10% preterm birth rate compared with the state-wide African American rate of 18%

We cannot help but think that March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign and our millions invested nation-wide in cutting edge research and evidence based community programs are helping to make a difference in the declining preterm birth rate.

Thank you for all you have done to help in implementing March of Dimes programs in the community!

Farmers Insurance Invites You to the 3rd Annual March of Dimes Bass Tournament

Saturday - June 5th
@ Sam Rayburn at Tiger Creek Lodge
$ 150 per team

For Questions or to RSVP Call John Salamone at 409-383-5222

Balloon Rides for $10 per person (weather permitting)

Annual Community Baby Shower

Join March of Dimes and 12 News on Thursday, June 24th to help needy families in Southeast Texas. The Community Baby shower will be broadcast live from three sites in Southeast Texas, Beaumont (12News), Nederland (Ritter Lumber) and Orange (David Self Ford) from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Donations collected will be given to needy families enrolled in prenatal education at four local agencies:
· Port Arthur Health Department Nurse Family Partnership Program
· HOPS Women’s Resource Clinic
· UTMB of Beaumont and Orange
· Birthright of Orange

Items of great need (new or gently used) include:
· Diapers
· Wipes
· Car seats
· Baby clothing
· Blankets
· Bottles

Decorate a box and put in your office, lobby, kitchen, etc. Ask employees’ to donate. The box can then be dropped off at any three of the locations.

Anyone interested in scheduling a drop off time and media coverage, please contact Donna Blanchette @ 409.835.7606.

Friday, March 26, 2010

March of Dimes teams up with Fuddruckers


We're teaming up all day!!


Dine in or carry out.. Let Fuddruckers know you're part of the March of Dimes and they will donate 15% back to the March of Dimes!!!


When : April 1st 2010

Where: Fuddruckers Beaumont, 4545 Dowlen Rd , 409-898-8973

Time: All day


Thursday, March 11, 2010

DODGE BALL TOURNAMENT

1ST ANNUAL CIRCLE K - DODGE BALL TOURNAMENT

WHEN: 3/27/10
TIME: 10:00 AM
WHERE: Lamar University - Health & Human Performance Complex Room 108

$20 per team of 8 people. 100% of registration fees will be donated directly to the March of Dimes

FREE T-SHIRT

Registration Due by : 3/20/10 at 12pm

Contact Paul Rizk 409-223-8487 lamar@txokcki.org for more info

Friday, February 26, 2010

March of Dimes Fundraisers

Two of our SETX top teams will be having their annual March for Babies fundraising events within the next 2 to 3 months.

Farmers Insurance will be having their annual fishing tournament on June 5, 2010.

American Valve & Hydrant will be having their annual golf tournament on May 2, 2010.
We would like to acknowledge and thank these two TOP SETX teams for their dedication and commitment to the March of Dimes!

Also, one of our state sponsors - HEB, will be having their campaign during the month of March. They will be doing a Tear Pad Campaign. ( At the register their will be a pad of paper with dollar donation amounts, that customers can tear off and add to their final shopping total.) This is a great fundraising campaign!!! Please support your local HEB stores all over SETX during the month of March. - A BIG thanks to HEB for their March for Babies support.

- Together we can save babies!!!

Friday, February 5, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Southeast Texas pulls together for March for Babies

WHAT: March for Babies Kick-Off Celebration

WHEN: February 11, 2010
5:30 – 7:00 PM

WHERE: The Beaumont Club

WHO: Over 100 people will gather to Kick-Off the March for Babies campaign.
Many in Southeast Texas support the causes of the March of Dimes and
March for Babies.

WHY: The most urgent infant health problem in the U.S. today is premature birth.
Babies born premature are put at risk for a host of long -term health
complications. One out of seven babies born in Southeast Texas are born
premature.

Money raised goes toward local programs such as Centering Pregnancy. Also,
program services, including grants and community awards for newborn
screening, immunizations, the Texas Birth Defect Registry and children’s
health insurance plan.

HOW: To participate, call March of Dimes, 409.835.7606.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNTIES:
· Will Jackson, Business Relation Manager, Wells Fargo and 2010 Southeast Texas Marchfor
Babies Chairman
· Dr. Lauree Thompson, Neonatologist with Christus St. Elizabeth
· Donna Blanchette, Southeast Texas Division Director
· Jessica Lundgren, Programs Services Director

For more information call 409.835.7606 or email dblanchette@marchofdimes.com or bmlck@marchofdmes.com

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

2010 March for Babies KICKOFF

Southeast Texas 2010 Kick Off

Meet the March of Dimes staff and get materials to help your company or family raise money for the March of Dimes 2010 campaign year!!!

Thursday, February 11, 2010
@ the Beaumont Club
590 Orleans
Beaumont, TX

If you are interested in joining us, please RSVP by 1-29-2010
please leave a VM @ 409-835-7606, or email us: dblanchette@marchofdimes.com or bmlcak@marchofdimes.com