FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH OF DIMES AWARDS GRANT TO THE HEALTHY START COALITION OF SARASOTA COUNTY, INC. TO HELP IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF MOTHERS AND BABIES
Sarasota, FL – October 23, 2017 – March of Dimes, whose mission is to improve the health of babies, is pleased to advance maternal and infant health by supporting the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County with a $16,000.00 community service grant. The program will establish a partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County to screen new moms about key health indicators, such as smoking, family planning, maternal depression, and multivitamin use, and to provide resources to address specific health needs. This grant provides the funds to ensure that moms have the opportunity and means to be healthy while they are keeping their children healthy.
The March of Dimes funds programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. This includes financial support to research and education that will help moms before and during their pregnancies. It also includes working with local medical groups and organizations to improve prenatal care and newborn screening. In 2016, March of Dimes awarded $160,000 to community agencies throughout Florida.
“We are excited to use this March of Dimes grant to help babies in our area get the healthy start they deserve by making sure their moms are healthy,” said Shon Ewens, Executive Director of the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County.
“The potential impact for the Healthy Start of North Central Florida Coalition will help us prevent premature births, birth defects, and infant mortality,” said Dr. Karen Harris, March of Dimes Maternal and Child Health Committee Chair. “We are pleased that our successful fundraising efforts, such as March for Babies, make it possible for us to support this new, locally focused effort to help give every baby a fighting chance.”
About Healthy Start
The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of pregnant women, infants, and young children. Healthy Start serves moms and babies in Sarasota County, regardless of insurance of socioeconomic status, with free, comprehensive, high-quality support and education to improve birth and health outcomes. Learn more at www.healthystartsarasota.org or find us on facebook at www.facebook.com/healthystartsarasota
About the March of Dimes
The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook at @marchofdimesflorida, Twitter at @marchofdimesfl, and Instagram at @marchofdimesflorida.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ciera Coleman, Marketing, and Grants Coordinator
Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County Inc – (941) 373-7070, x 303. Ciera.Coleman@healthystartsarasota.org
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