Watch CBS News

March of Dimes - Celebrating 75 Years

March of Dimes Transportation, Building and Construction Awards

TB&C

This prestigious March of Dimes event honors the accomplishments of those in the forefront of both the public and private sectors of the transportation, building and construction industries. Honorees are selected by a committee of peers and honored for their achievement and leadership in their respective professions and for their efforts to promote economic development within Western Pennsylvania.

You have a chance to join them as they recognize these outstanding individuals and projects.  Click here for more from the March of Dimes Pennsylvania.

when:                                      Tuesday, June 11, 2013

where:                                     The Westin Convention Center Hotel Pittsburgh

event schedule:

11:30 a.m.                 Networking Reception

12:30 p.m.                 Luncheon, Program & Awards

 1:30 p.m.                  Conclusion

2013 awards:

Service to Humanity Award:

Jack Mascaro, Chairman of Mascaro Construction Company

Labor Leader Award:

Phillip Ameris, President of Laborer's District Council of Western Pennsylvania

Transportation Project of the Year:

Mon-Fayette Expressway Uniontown to Brownsville Phase II, Pennsylvania Turnpike

Building Project of the Year:

UPMC East, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

March of Dimes Moments in History:

March of Dimes celebrating 75 years of stronger, healthier babies

It was his personal experience with polio that inspired President Franklin Roosevelt to found the March of Dimes in 1938 to defeat the crippling disease.  Success came in the form of a vaccine, and there has not been a single outbreak of polio in our country in more that 30 years.

In 1938, radio star Eddie Cantor urged his listeners to send dimes to President Franklin Roosevelt at the White House.  The effort was called the "march of dimes" and later became part of the official name of the organization.

In 1949, University of Pittsburgh researcher, Dr. Jonas Salk, receives March of Dimes funding for his polio research.  On April 12, 1955 the Salk vaccine is declared "safe, potent and effective".

In 1954, 1.8 million schoolchildren, known as the "Polio Pioneers" participated in the field trial of the Salk vaccine.  The test is the largest peacetime mobilization of volunteers in history.

For the March of Dimes, the polio vaccine was only the beginning.  In the decades to follow, they helped stamp out rubella, pushed for regionalized newborn intensive care, promoted folic acid to prevent neural tube defects and brought newborn screening to every baby.

After FDR's death in 1945, a bill was introduced to have his likeness on 10-cent pieces. The first Roosevelt dimes entered circulation in 1946 and they continue to symbolize the connection between FDR and the March of Dimes today.

March of Dimes founder, Franklin Roosevelt believed that science must be harnessed to serve people and improve health.  The March of Dimes has funded some of the greatest medical advances of the 20th century.  Their work has been recognized with 13 Nobel Prizes and has improved health for millions of children.

In 1970, the March of Dimes held the first walkathon event, WalkAmerica in San Antonio, Texas and Columbus, Ohio.  The idea caught hold, took off, and soared.  Today, more than 7 million people in over 900 communities across the country will participate in March for Babies.  Since 1970, over 2 billion dollars has been raised through March of Dimes walking events.

In 1973, March of Dimes researchers discover that alcohol consumption during pregnancy causes birth defects.  Educating women of childbearing age to this risk of fetal alcohol exposure helps to safeguard the health of infants today.

In 1985, March of Dimes funds research that leads to the use of surfactant to treat respiratory distress syndrome.  Surfactant therapy helps premature babies breathe.  Two-thirds of the babies who would have died from respiratory distress syndrome now survive thanks to this breakthrough.

In 1994, the March of Dimes launches a nationwide campaign urging women of child-bearing age to take 400 micrograms of the B vitamin folic acid daily to help prevent neural tube birth defects.  The campaign succeeded in its goal of raising awareness and reducing the incidence of this class of birth defect with the help of grain fortification mandated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

In 1996, March of Dimes volunteers help secure passage of the Mothers' and Newborns' Health Protection Act.  This legislation helps guarantee a minimum hospital stay of 48 hours following a baby's delivery.

In 2003, the March of Dimes launched the Prematurity Campaign, a multimillion dollar, multiyear campaign to prevent premature birth and raise awareness of its serious consequences.  It funds lifesaving research and advocates for legislation that improves care for moms and babies.

In 2007, March of Dimes volunteer efforts lead to increase in newborn screening.  Today, all states require newborn screening for every baby for at least 21 serious but treatable conditions, saving babies from death and disability.  In Pennsylvania, we currently screen for 30 conditions.

After steadily rising for more than 2 decades, the U.S. preterm birth rate peaks in 2006 at 12.8%.  Preterm birth rates have fallen for the fifth straight year, which means that in a single year about 16,000 babies were spared the consequences of an early birth.

In 2012, the "Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait" campaign is launched.  It encourages moms-to-be and their providers to wait for labor to begin on its own, making sure more babies get at least 39 weeks to grow and develop.

More:

Click here for more information on the March of Dimes book: Healthy Mom Healthy Baby

Cick here for more information on the March of Dimes App that lets you take photos of your belly as it grows!

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.