Minnesota Chapter

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board of directors Officers Miaja
Cassidy Chapter Chair Mike Qualio Secretary
Mark Forsberg Treasurer
Thank you to our national March for Babies
sponsors Kmart, Farmers Insurance Group, FedEx,
CIGNA, Famous Footwear, Liberty Tax Service,
Continental Airlines Thank you to our
Prematurity Campaign sponsors CIGNA, FedEx,
Hologic, Johnson Johnson Pediatric Institute,
L.L.C., Motherhood Maternity, Anderson
Foundation, Centracare Foundation, Initiative
Foundation, Medica, MedImmune Inc., Park Nicollet
Foundation, St. Cloud Granite Rotary, Sy
Corrine Janochoski
Board Members Linda Allen Glenn Andis Theresa
Atanasio Kelsey Berning Kathy Dubbels Lisa
Hahn Pat Hart Mary Jenkins Jodi Jersett Kurt
Jorgensen Amanda Klanderman Jim Lewis Al
Mannino Anna Milz Deann Munson Steve Olson Betty
Ouren Locke Pierce Kirk Ramin Mary Rasch Shane
Schiavo Mary Lou Stewart Cindy Umland Donna
Zimmerman
Presidents Society Members Glenn Andis Theresa
Antanasio Miaja Cassidy Andy Chafoulias James
Colborn Cindy Evans Mark Forsberg Bob Gustafson
Pat Hart Sy Corrine Janochoski Chip
Martin Gregg McCall Steve Olson Knute
Pederson Locke Pierce Michael Qaulio Kirk
Ramin Ted Thompson Donna Zimmerman
Minnesota Chapter
March of Dimes Minnesota Chapter 5233 Edina
Industrial Blvd. Edina, MN 55439 952-835-3033 www.
marchofdimes.com/minnesota
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hope for babies In 2008, the March of Dimes
invested in research to prevent birth defects,
premature birth and infant mortality. Areas of
investigation included basic biological processes
of development, genetics and prevention of
premature birth. The following are just some of
the grants supported by the Minnesota Chapter in
2008. Hennepin Healthcare System - a pilot
program to enhance prenatal services to reduce
the number of premature births. Leech Lake Band
of Ojibwe Health a community-based outreach
program designed to provide prenatal services
combined with American Indian Doula
services. Regents of the University of MN, Dept
of Ob/Gyn a project to develop a concise
educational DVD to prenatal healthcare providers
that summarizes risks of preterm birth. stronger
families In communities across America, moms and
families can find information and support before,
during and after they have their baby. The
March of Dimes invests 60,000 annually into the
NICU Family Support Program at St. Cloud
Hospital. In 2008, the program provided nearly
300 Parent Care Kits, scrapbooking sessions for
89 parents and 180 families attended Parent
Activities/Parent Education Hours. thanks to
you Youre volunteers. Youre donors. Youre
sponsors. Most of all, you are the March of
Dimes. You care about your babies, and you care
about all babies. Money you raise through events
and contributions enable us to continue our
lifesaving work throughout the country and right
here in Minnesota. The Minnesota Chapters
fundraising activities for 2008 included March
for Babies - our largest fundraising event raised
1.7 million at 22 walk sites across the
state. Signature Chefs Auction - a celebration
of food with premiere chefs from restaurants
around Minnesota featuring a live and silent
auction raised nearly 400,000.
the year 2008 Dear Friends, Despite a down
economy, the dedication and determination of our
volunteers and donors keep our spirits high, our
energy strong and our focus on the progress were
making to help moms and babies. In 2008, we
provided training to 150 health care
professionals on the importance of preconception
care focusing on ways to reach underserved
populations. Also in 2008, through our NICU
Family Support project, 500 families received
information, emotional support and opportunities
to help other families. Without your generosity
and commitment, these initiatives would not have
been possible. I am grateful for the passionate
volunteers and staff of the March of Dimes
Minnesota Chapter and our many achievements in
2008. On behalf of the Chapter Board,
Minnesotas babies and their families, thank
you. Sincerely, Miaja Cassidy Chapter
Chair moms speak out March of Dimes volunteers
in Minnesota speak out in support of initiatives
that improve the health of our babies. In 2008,
volunteers worked to save the lives of Minnesota
babies by supporting Newborn Screening. Each
year, the Minnesota Department of Health screens
more than 72,000 newborns for 54 disorders. The
lives of 75 to 90 children are saved or greatly
improved after they are identified with a
confirmed positive disorder. Volunteers
supported state funding for the Birth Defects
Information System (BDIS). The goals of BDIS
include gathering comprehensive data on 45 birth
defects in Minnesota, ensuring families receive
timely referrals to appropriate services, and
implementing prevention strategies to reduce the
number of birth defects.
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Simones story Were working to help every mom
have a healthy baby. Weve seen the heartache
that comes when babies are born prematurely or
with other problems that threaten their health.
One of these children is Simone Wisgerhof, who
serves as the March of Dimes Ambassador in
Minnesota and who reminds everyone of the
importance of our work. Simone Wisgerhof was
born at 25 weeks weighing one pound, eleven
ounces. Her mother Alexa, a writer in St. Paul,
describes her arms and legs as the circumference
of an asparagus spear, her eyes were fused shut
like a kitten. Simone spent her first 96 days in
the hospital. Today, Simone is a plump, happy
one-year-old girl. She's sprouting teeth at an
alarming rate, and doggedly trying to crawl
toward the outlets. She is constantly trying to
put the cat's tail in her mouth. She is, in other
words, a healthy baby. It is because of programs
and research funded by the March of Dimes that
Simone and her family got the support they
needed.
Operating Activity Revenue Contributions Beques
ts and major gifts Government grants Investment
gains Direct response, other revenue Total
Public Support Event Revenue March for
Babies Major Gifts Signature Chefs Auction Bikers
for Babies Celebrity Roast Toast Jail
Bail Other Total Event Revenue Expenses Research
and Medical Support Public and Professional
Education Community Services Management and
General Fundraising Total expenses Excess
revenue over expenses Adjustment in pension
liability Change in net assets
2,259,388 409,756 0 (210,809) 1,209,158 3
,667,493 1,703,660 405,238 381,582 32,374 30,765
167,880 41,777 2,763,276 2,039,668 563,502 592
,470 120,257 254,102 3,569,999 97,494 0 97,494

Her parents are forever grateful that the March
of Dimes funded research to develop surfactant, a
treatment that helps preterm babies lungs stop
from sticking together, preventing the baby from
breathing. They are most grateful for the
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The March of
Dimes originated the concept of specialized care
for sick newborns and pushed for it in hospitals
across the country.
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• premature birth report card 2008

raising awareness

• During Prematurity Awareness Month in 2008, the
  March of Dimes released its first ever Premature
  Birth Report Card giving the nation a D and
  Minnesota a C. In addition to providing state
  rankings, the March of Dimes Premature Birth
  Report Card analyzes several contributing factors
  and prevention opportunities.
• Contributing factors in Minnesota
• About 1 in 9 women of childbearing age in
  Minnesota has no health insurance coverage.
• About 1 in 6 women of childbearing age in
  Minnesota is a smoker. Smoking cessation
  programs can reduce the risk of premature birth.
• About 1 in 13 live births in Minnesota is late
  preterm (34-36 weeks gestation). The rise in
  late preterm births has been linked to rising
  rates of early induction of labor and c-sections.

The March of Dimes reaches out in many ways to
raise awareness of the growing problem of
prematurity. Through pamphlets, videos, posters,
public service announcements and media coverage
the March of Dimes is seeing progress. Among the
general public, awareness that premature birth is
a very or extremely serious problem increased
from 35 percent in 2001 to 46 percent in 2008.
Among women of childbearing age, awareness has
grown even more from 41 percent in 2001 to 60
percent in 2008.
Two studies are looking into prematurity genes
that can help predict a womans chances of having
her baby early. Scientists believe there is a
hereditary factor to prematurity. If we can tell
if a woman is at risk, we can do more to help her
and her baby during pregnancy.
2008 marked the fifth anniversary of the
initiation of the March of Dimes Prematurity
Campaign. The milestone provided an opportunity
to review and assess the achievements and to
envision longer term strategies.

• Recommendations for the future
• Extend the Prematurity Campaign to 2020 and
  expand the campaign to encompass global concern.
• Assume a more outspoken public stance on issues
  directly related to prematurity prevention.
• Implement special initiatives including Global
  Report on Preterm Birth, statewide prematurity
  task forces, Surgeon Generals Conference, NICU
  support programs.