You Have Been Helped By the March of Dimes if...

• You knew to take folic acid before you were pregnant. Research shows that taking folic acid prior to pregnancy can help to prevent neural tube birth defects, like Spina Bifida. Due to March of Dimes advocacy efforts all grains are fortified with Folic Acid. Volunteers are currently working to fortify all corn products. Corm is the primary grain in Hispanic communities, where we currently see the majority of neural tube birth defects.

• You know that drinking during pregnancy can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, the leading cause of preventable mental retardation. In 1973 March of Dimes grantees discovered teratogenic properties of alcohol.

• Your baby or a baby you know was born after 1968. That was the year the first newborn screen (PKU) was available to all babies. The March of Dimes continues to work to make sure that all babies have access to a core set of newborn screens that can help to detect serious, even deadly diseases that if caught early are treatable. Because of March of Dimes advocacy efforts every baby born in Florida is currently screened for 39 serious diseases and disorders before they leave the hospital.

• You or your children were vaccinated against polio.

Because of our combined advocacy efforts at the national and chapter level, 4.1 million more children will have health care insurance this year and more pregnant women will have better access to health care insurance. In Florida, 46,000 more children will receive health care in Florida through the KidCare Program.

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