MARCH OF DIMES | A brief history

More than 120 teams registered for Sunday’s 2013 March for Babies Walk that began at Youngstown State University, which in part recognized the organization’s 75th year and raised money for continued research and educational efforts to prevent birth defects and infant mortality. A look at some of the agency’s accomplishments:

1950s: The polio vaccine that eradicated that disease in the U.S. protects babies from polio.

1960s: Newborn screenings keep babies protected from an estimated 30 serious conditions.

1970s: Newborn intensive-care efforts save thousands of premature and seriously ill babies’ lives each year.

1980s: A new therapy helps tiny, fragile babies breathe more easily.

1990s: Folic-acid education programs lead to fewer babies born with neural-tube defects.

Today: The agency is continuing its efforts to prevent premature births while helping babies receive the strongest and healthiest starts.

Source: March of Dimes