WalkAmerica is the walk that saves babies! As the March of Dimes biggest fundraiser, WalkAmerica supports research and programs to help prevent premature birth, birth defects and infant death. Since its beginning in 1970, WalkAmerica has raised more than $1.7 billion to help give babies a fighting chance.

In most communities, WalkAmerica is held at the end of April. To confirm the date in your area, find a walk near you.

WalkAmerica, the nation's first and best-loved walking event, takes place in 1,100 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Routes vary in length, but most are about 10 kilometers (approximately 6 miles). However, participants are not required to complete the entire route. Any level of participation is welcome.

Now in its 37th year, WalkAmerica is expected to draw 1 million walkers. Overall, more than 7 million men, women and children will participate as sponsors, volunteers and walkers this year.

They can raise money and:

	walk as individuals
	walk as part of a company or organizational team
	walk as part of a Family Team
	be invited by family, friends or business associates to participate
	volunteer time to register walkers, staff checkpoints and offer refreshments

Walkers ask friends, family, business associates and others to sponsor them by making a donation to help the March of Dimes save babies.

In 2006, 20,000 teams accounted for 80 percent of the record-breaking $108 million raised. More than $30.8 million of that total was raised by 25 top corporate partners. Teams represent companies, unions, schools, associations and clubs, and can range in size from five walkers to more than 10,000. Companies find that WalkAmerica is a great morale-booster and builds camaraderie among teams and team members.

These are teams of families and friends who walk together, usually to honor a particular baby or child. Some walk for a healthy baby. Others walk for a baby who was born prematurely or with a birth defect. And many walk for a baby who didn't survive. These teams put a personal face on the mission of the March of Dimes and raise awareness about the crisis of premature birth in the U.S.

The March of Dimes spends more than 76 percent of the money raised in WalkAmerica on research and programs that help save the lives of babies across the country and in local communities. By walking and raising money, you help support:

	Research into why premature birth happens and how it can be prevented
	Education to help women have healthy pregnancies and recognize the signs of preterm labor
	Assistance for health care providers in better identifying women at risk for premature birth
	Information and comfort for families of babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)
	Advocacy efforts for expanded newborn screening and increased access to health insurance for mothers and babies
	Help for women with questions and concerns about pregnancy through our Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education Center® at marchofdimes.com or askus@marchofdimes.com

Visit walkamerica.org and register as an individual walker or team member. If you don't have access to a computer, call 1.800.525.WALK. For more information, visit our web site or call your local chapter.

It's easy and effective. Once you're registered online, you can use the Online Fundraising Tool (OFT) to begin raising money immediately. Simply e-mail everyone you know and ask them to sponsor you. You'll reach more donors more quickly. You could raise three times the amount of money as those who don't use OFT... with a lot less effort!

It's a long-standing, highly respected nonprofit health organization that's leading the way in the fight to save babies from premature birth - the #1 cause of newborn death. Every year, more than half a million babies are born prematurely - and the number is increasing. The March of Dimes is funding research to find out why premature birth happens and what can be done to stop it. Our advocacy efforts in state and federal government are seeking expanded health coverage for mothers and babies. Our community programs are educating women about the signs of preterm labor and what to do if they have them. With your support, there's hope we will defeat premature birth and other threats to babies.