About March of Dimes
Our Mission
Our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. We carry out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies' lives. March of Dimes 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 low birthweight.
Our History
In January 1938, President Roosevelt established the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis -- a unique partnership of scientists and volunteers -- to conquer polio. Comedian Eddie Cantor created the first grassroots fund-raiser for the National Foundation, asking the public to send dimes to President Roosevelt at the White House. The effort was called the March of Dimes, which later became part of the official name of the foundation.
President Franklin Roosevelt established the March of Dimes in 1938 to save America's youth from polio. His premise was that people can solve any problem if they work together. He created a partnership of volunteers and researchers, and within 17 years, the Salk vaccine had been developed and polio was on the run. With the approval of the Salk vaccine and resulting eradication of polio, the March of Dimes turned its focus to a new mission to save America's youth. Since 1958, the March of Dimes has been funding cutting edge research and innovative programs to save babies from birth defects, premature birth and low birthweight.
The March of Dimes in Greater Kansas
The Kansas City Division, located in Overland Park, is the largest member of the March of Dimes Greater Kansas Chapter. Our support for the March of Dimes comes through annual local fundraising events and awareness programs.
Funds raised through events like Bikers for Babies help tiny ones right here in Greater Kansas and Kansas City. More than $1.7 million has been expended on research, education, community services and advocacy in our area.
One March of Dimes service making a difference in Kansas City is NICU Family Support at Saint Luke’s Hospital. Led by a March of Dimes staff person, NICU Family Support provides parent-to-parent support, sensitive and engaging educational materials and services that address the challenges that NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) families may face through this difficult time.
