Stroller Strides and March of Dimes® partner to spotlight rising trend in preterm births

Prematurity is the leading killer of America’s newborns. One in eight babies in the U.S. is born prematurely, and the number of premature births has been escalating over the past two years, according to statistics presented by the March of Dimes.

Stroller Strides, the country’s largest exercise program for new moms and their babies, is again partnering with the March of Dimes to raise awareness, and dollars, to help focus attention on the serious health complications of preterm births.

“It’s a privilege to be able to help in this important effort,” said Natalie Richardson, owner of the local Stroller Strides program. “Everyone at Stroller Strides is committed to supporting the March of Dimes and their work to decrease the numbers of preterm births in the U.S.”

This year, at the Stroller Strides national convention in San Diego, Stroller Strides founder Lisa Druxman presented a check for more than $92,000 to March of Dimes’ 2010 National Ambassador Joshua Hoffman.

Joshua was born nearly four months too early with so many health problems and underdeveloped organs that it was uncertain whether he would survive.

Joshua spent three and a half months in the hospital and is now a happy and energetic six year old. Joshua and his family travel throughout the U.S. to raise awareness about the prevalence of preterm births and their serious health consequences.

The $92,000 raised this year by Stroller Strides franchisees and corporate team is up from the nearly $81,000 raised in 2009. Stroller Strides’ 2011 fundraising goal for the March of Dimes’ Prematurity Campaign is $111,000.

LUNA® Moms Clubs, offered at every Stroller Strides location, including Stroller Strides of Maricopa/Casa Grande, will focus their quarterly “Moms with a Mission” program on local March for Babies walk events planned for more than 900 locations across the United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in April and May, 2011. Moms can sign up through their individual LUNA Moms Clubs Powered by Stroller Strides, secure sponsor donations and then participate in walk events in their local communities.

March for Babies, the March of Dimes premier event, works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For individuals and organizations who are interested in supporting this year’s campaign, the walk starts here at www.marchforbabies.org.

For more information about Stroller Strides of Maricopa/Casa Grande, please contact Natalie Richardson at 480-329-9173.

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