Winter 2016
Meet Ismael, the 2016 March of Dimes
National Ambassador
Ismael Torres-Castrodad of San Juan, Puerto Rico,
born 5 weeks prematurely, has been named the March
of Dimes 2016 National Ambassador. He’s the first
child from Puerto Rico to be named to this position in
the history of the March of Dimes.
Isamari Castrodad had a healthy pregnancy until she
was hospitalized for a low level of amniotic fluid.
Luckily she learned about premature birth at
marchofdimes.org and asked questions — because
after she was anxious enough to get her fluid levels
checked again, her son, Ismael, was born by
emergency c-section 5 weeks early. Six days after
discharge, he developed jaundice and RSV (a serious
lung infection) and was treated in the hospital, and
had to be re-hospitalized due to pneumonia and
asthma.
Thank you to our
2016 national March
for Babies sponsors!
A special thank you to our 2016 March
for Babies national sponsors, Kmart,
Famous Footwear, Macy’s, Cigna,
United Airlines and Mission Pharmacal.
Our partners and sponsors make a
commitment of their time and money
to help babies and play an integral role
in advancing the March of Dimes
mission through research, education
and community service programs
nationwide. Click here to watch a video
and hear from executive leaders on
why they choose the March of Dimes.
Today, Ismael is a charming, healthy 13-year-old who plays soccer and loves to sing.
He and his family will travel around the country to raise awareness of premature birth
and encourage moms to confidently ask questions about their health. Click here to
see a video of the family’s inspirational story and learn more about Ismael.
partner
spotlight
Cigna’s support of the March of Dimes spans more than two decades, and they continue that partnership
in 2016 as a March for Babies sponsor and national team. As one of the March of Dimes most
longstanding and generous supporters, Cigna’s corporate contributions and employee donations total
more than $31 million.
Again this year, Cigna will rally their team around the “It’s Personal” theme, chosen to reflect their belief that preterm birth
impacts each of us. Dedicated to the health of their employees and the customers they
serve, Cigna recognizes the importance of educating everyone, including health care
professionals, about the serious health issues associated with premature birth.
Well versed in the medical, societal and financial costs of prematurity, Cigna executives
serve as March for Babies event chairs in several markets. Their knowledge and passion
make them valuable spokespersons, volunteer recruiters and internal champions for their
own team’s March for Babies efforts. We salute Cigna for their steadfast work on behalf of
moms and babies, and for continuing to provide the volunteer leadership and expert
guidance that is the heartbeat of our organization.
Today, most soaps and
Did you shampoos aren’t required to be
know? tested for safety, so there is no
way for pregnant women or
anyone else to know whether or not to
use these household items. Do you
agree that it’s important to know
more about the safety of personal
care products? Click here to learn
more.
Marchofdimes.org is a great resource for
maternal and infant health information
and includes many videos on numerous
topics, such as pregnancy, caring for
your baby and complications and loss.
You can also ask a question to
experts in our Pregnancy and
Newborn Health Education Center
and receive a reply from a health
education specialist.
Click here to learn more about our corporate partners.
Be sure to check out and
give back this March for
Babies season at national
partners Kmart, Big 5
Sporting Goods, Famous Footwear
and Publix Super Markets, Inc., during
their annual in-store customer
donation campaigns benefiting the
March of Dimes. You can make a
donation right at the register!