25 Shocking March of Dimes Statistics

One of the most recognizable charities in the world today is the March of Dimes. They have chapters in many communities across the United States and they focus on helping families have healthy babies. Their goal is to inform all parents of the importance of preconception and prenatal genetic screening while providing information to improve the health of mothers and babies.

Over 7 million people support the annual March for Babies event that is sponsored by the March of Dimes every year.

March of Dimes

What many people don’t know is that a sitting president actually started this charitable organization. The foundation of the March of Dimes occurred in 1938 when Franklin D. Roosevelt recognized the need to help children with polio in the country. Since then it has become a massive force for good as they help families live happy, fulfilling lives.

• The March of Dimes is the #1 recognized health charity that American mothers recognize.
• For all women, the March of Dimes is the #2 recognized health charity in the United States.
• The March of Dimes has a brand saturation rate that routinely reaches 96% of all Americans.
• 91% of Americans have an overall positive impression of one of the oldest charities in their country.
• The percentage of mothers who say that they’ve never heard of the March of Dimes: 2%.
• Only 4% of women in the general American population say that they’ve never heard of the March of Dimes.
• The March of Dimes has advocated for moms and babies to achieve a record-breaking 125 legislative and regulatory wins.
• The preterm birth rate in the United States declined by more than 10% between 2006 and 2013.

For a charity that has a primary goal of helping mothers and children lead happy lives, it’s interesting to note that 9% of Americans don’t see this charity in a favorable way. As one of the nation’s most loved charities, it is understandable to see that with over 70 years of existence, their brand saturation has reached virtually every American. Although their participation levels in fundraising events is lower than other charities can achieved with signature events, the March of Dimes spends considerably less on national promotion. This is what makes this charity such a unique influence on local families. Local chapters stay within the region instead of promoting a national agenda.

Why Is It So Important To Have The March of Dimes?

• More than 120,000 babies are born in the United States each year with some form of a birth defect and it is the leading cause of infant death.
• The March for Babies Walk has been going on since 1970 and has raised more than $2 billion that benefits all babies.
• Investments in research funding that have been sponsored or supported by the March of Dimes has led to important medical advances and 13 Nobel Prizes.
• The March of Dimes offers several $5,000 scholarships annually to registered nurses enrolled in graduate programs of maternal-child nursing.
• The March of Dimes offers households numerous resources for free on their website, such as 10 Steps to Getting Healthy Before Pregnancy.
• The March of Dimes has been conducting special events for more than 60 years.

Babies that are born prematurely or with a birth defect face a very tough hill to climb in the journey of life. Unfortunately many infants in these circumstances lose their lives. Mothers may also face numerous health risks during a pregnancy and while going through labor and delivery as well. The March of Dimes may have started as a means of being able to inform parents of the dangers of polio and how to prevent it from spreading, but with the virtual eradication of the disease in the United States over time, their mission changed. With billions being raised and spent in support of research that includes a potential vaccine that could prevent up to 8,000 birth defects every year, the March of Dimes always seems to be poised on the precipice of a new great discovery. 13 Nobel Prizes is a nice legacy to leave the world.

Statistics About The March of Dimes To Think About

• The first March of Dimes fundraising campaign raised over 2.8 million dimes that were sent directly to the White House.
• Jonas Salk helped to develop the polio vaccine based partly on funding that was received from the March of Dimes.
• By 1962, the number of U.S. polio cases had dropped from 45,000 to 910.
• The number of employees that have jobs thanks to the March of Dimes: 225
• The foundation funds research, giving grants to hundreds of scientists annually at a cost of more than $20 million.
• The March of Dimes is organized into more than 90 local chapters, overseen by a national office.
• The 1998 Birth Defects Prevention Act passed with direct support from the March of Dimes.
• Scientists backed by the March of Dimes made a number of significant advances in the 1990’s in identifying the genes responsible for particular syndromes.
• In 1985, research sponsored by the organization led to a new method to treat respiratory distress syndrome in infants.
• In 1989, a doctor funded by the foundation performed the first in utero surgery to repair a diaphragmatic hernia in an unborn child.

The March of Dimes has been a force for good in the United States and the rest of the world thanks to their emphasis on research. Inflation may have hit and it may be more appropriate to call them the March of Dollars today, but the concept is still the same. Everyone has a dollar or two that they can spare in order to support something great. The success of the crowdfunding industry is evidence of this. From the large field trials of the polio vaccine to today’s incredible research and support of families who are struggling with birth defects and other infant health issues, the March of Dimes has been there for 70 years to help children and families succeed. There is nothing to say that this will change in the future.