MSHA to host 2011 March for Babies

4/7/2011

04/07/2011
Teresa Hicks
MSHA Communications Manager, Communications and Marketing
(004) 431-1313

Mountain States Health Alliance (MSHA) will host the 2011 March for Babies on Sunday, April 10 on the Veterans Affairs Medical Center campus. March for Babies is an annual fundraiser that supports the March of Dimes, a national organization that seeks to prevent premature birth and promote the health of infants nationwide.

“For many years, the March of Dimes has raised money to research why pre-term birth occurs and to help address the health problems that threaten premature babies,” said Lisa Smithgall, vice president of women’s services for MSHA. “Mountain States Health Alliance is pleased to support this effort, and we are excited that we’ve been able to recruit more than 150 of our own team members and their family members to participate and help raise funds this year. Add to that the beauty of the VA campus, and this promises to be a wonderful event that will help the March of Dimes.”

The March for Babies begins at 1 p.m. with registration and activities including music, refreshments and games. The walk itself begins at 3 p.m. This year’s walk will start at the gazebo on the VA campus and will make three laps around a 1-mile loop.

Every year, thousands of babies in the United States are born prematurely, and those infants can face a host of health problems, many of which may last into adulthood. There are several recommendations that pregnant women can follow before and during pregnancy to improve birth outcomes. Some steps include:

Adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes moderate exercise and a healthy diet;
Reducing stress;
Avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke, alcohol and illegal drugs; and
Achieving a healthy weight before pregnancy.

It’s not too late to sign up for the walk or to sponsor another walker. For more information or to register, visit www.marchforbabies.org.

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