Hi Friend! Happy summer! We have quite a few organizational and new partnership announcements to share with our corporate partner community! It’s because of you that all the advancements below are possible to help improve maternal and infant health in the US. Together, we’re increasing access to care, education, and resources to help all moms and babies get the best possible start. We’re so grateful for your support of our mission.
'Til next time!
Elizabeth Dunn
VP, Corporate Engagement
March of Dimes
Organizational announcements
Low Dose, Big Benefits campaign launches
Preeclampsia is a key driver of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, affecting 1 in 25 pregnancies in the US, with potential impacts on mom and baby during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. To help prevent these risks, March of Dimes has launched Low Dose, Big Benefits™, a multi-year campaign aimed at decreasing the adverse effects of preeclampsia and preterm birth through the use of low dose aspirin. This new campaign features US Olympian Allyson Felix as a brand ambassador and is part of our It Starts With Mom® platform, which provides families with critical education during their pregnancy journey.
New Mom & Baby Mobile Health Center opens in New York
Our partners at NewYork-Presbyterian recently launched a March of Dimes Mom & Baby Mobile Health Center® that provides high-quality healthcare to women who are pregnant and of childbearing age in underserved communities in New York City. The mobile center brings pregnancy, post-birth, and women’s healthcare directly to women right in their communities, regardless of their insurance or immigration status.
Announcing our new retail fundraising movement
Prioritizing the health of moms during and after pregnancy is vital to the wellbeing of every family. That’s why we launched our It Starts With Mom® retail movement last month, which raises critical funds through customer donations to protect the health of moms and babies in the US. This new initiative features all-new creative and story-telling materials around the importance of maternal health, which combined with the brand benefits of point-of-sale fundraising, has garnered momentum from retailers across the nation. Together, we’re letting moms know: your health matters to us, too.
Introducing our new Chief Growth Officer
We're excited to announce that V. Renée Cutting joins our team as Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer, as of June 17. Renée brings over 25 years of nonprofit leadership, most recently leading UNICEF USA's Philanthropy Division. With experience at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and top healthcare institutions, Renée's proven track record in transformational fundraising is outstanding.
Corporate partner spotlights
Philips Avent: Supporting moms throughout their pregnancy journey
Rooted in our shared vision that every person deserves the best when it comes to their health and well-being, March of Dimes announces Philips Avent as a new sponsor of our It Starts With Mom® campaign. This year, Philips Avent launched their #ShareTheCare brand positioning, calling on families, friends, and communities to help moms share the care so they can prioritize their well-being and self-care to provide the best care for babies.
GoldBug: Partnering to improve maternal health outcomes
March of Dimes proudly announces GoldBug, a leading brand in baby and young children's accessories, as a national partner of our It Starts With Mom® maternal health campaign. Our partnership launches in tandem with GoldBug's new collaboration and collection with Allyson Felix, March of Dimes celebrity advocate, Olympic Track & Field gold medalist, and mom-of-two. Together, we're aiming to help more women in the US access trusted maternal health information to avoid adverse health outcomes, such as those caused by preeclampsia, preterm birth, and racial health disparities.
Quest Diagnostics Foundation: Mobilizing locally for powerful impact
Quest Diagnostics Foundation, as part of its Quest for Health Equity initiative, is collaborating with March of Dimes to support our local Collective Impact initiatives in Houston, Miami, and Chicago to help improve mom and baby health at the community level. This grant is part of the Foundation’s strategic effort to collaborate side-by-side with local stakeholders to support community-led initiatives that address social determinants of health. This video showcases our teamwork in action, which includes local Mom and Baby Wellness Fairs.
In the news
CBS News: These ultrasound mobile units are helping pregnant women in cities lacking care
This month, Dr. Elizabeth Cherot, March of Dimes President and CEO, was interviewed by CBS News at our March of Dimes Mom & Baby Mobile Health Center® outside of Washington, DC, about our national partnership with the Philips Foundation that brings new ultrasound equipment with telehealth capabilities to several of our mobile health centers. The segment aired nationally on CBS News and on more than 100 CBS stations across the country.
- New York Times: Aspirin can prevent a deadly pregnancy complication. Why aren’t women told?
- STAT Health Care News: U.S. maternal mortality rate dips, but will the trend continue?
- The Associated Press: Maternal deaths have fallen to pre-pandemic levels, new US data says
- NonProfit PRO: How March of Dimes established an innovation fund to further its mission
And finally, we’re wrapping up March for Babies season! Following are just a few spotlights of local media coverage we received in 2024 for this event, which takes place in dozens of major metropolitan markets across the nation.