Donate Now To Support Premature Babies! In an effort to prevent premature births and help the thousands of babies who are born at a low birth-weight and often very sick, 1199SEIU members in the NY metropolitan region are once again “tightening up their shoe laces” for the annual March for Babies, sponsored by the March of Dimes.

For the sixth consecutive year, a team of 1199SEIU walkers, will meet at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 27 at 65th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. for a 3.5 mile walk to raise money to fund research, education and improve health and wellness initiatives for mothers and babies across the country.

The route includes a view of some of New York’s best historic and famous sites, and walkers will be greeted at the finish line with cheers and music to celebrate their great “Feet” for Healthier Babies.

“Come with your walking shoes and the willingness to share part of your day with others who are committed to helping babies get a healthy start in life,” said Andria Saunders. “Our goal is not only to recruit walk participants, but also to spread the word that more than half a million babies are born prematurely and more than 120,000 are born with serious birth defects here in the United States. And we can help.”

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization working to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes funds more than 30 grants, totaling over six million dollars in New York. In the last few years, 75 percent of those grants have been awarded to healthcare facilities where 1199ers work.

The key to the success of the March for Babies is team work. Last year, nearly 300 large and small businesses, unions, hospitals, schools and organizations recruited co-workers, family and friends to walk together as teams.

To become a member of the 1199SEIU team, call the union’s administrative offices at 212.261.2273 or visit MarchForBabies.org.