What Do A Singer, A Super Bowl Quarterback, A Supermodel, Super Sponsors & Super Volunteers Have In Common? They All March For Babies®

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Communities Nationwide Gear Up For Annual March to Save Babies

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Apr 24, 2014, 12:01 ET

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., April 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Singer and actress Hilary Duff, two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, supermodel Niki Taylor, and 3 million super volunteers and 20,000 companies have one common goal: they all March for Babies to help give every baby a healthy start.

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This Weekend, Two-Time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning and Volunteers All March for Babies (PRNewsFoto/March of Dimes)

Celebrities are again lending their star power to bring attention to this year's March for Babies, the March of Dimes premier fundraising event that will take place in 700 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico at the end of April.

For more than 75 years the March of Dimes has helped moms and babies. From Frank Sinatra to Super Bowl quarterback Joe Namath, major stars always have supported the Foundation's work for stronger, healthier babies. Nearly 4 million babies are born each year in the United States and the March of Dimes has helped each and every one through cutting-edge research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs.

March for Babies has been held annually since 1970 and has raised a combined total of more than $2.3 billion to help all babies get a healthy start in life. The goal for this year's event is to raise more than $106 million.

"Thanks to all our volunteers. The support we receive from every volunteer is invaluable and celebrity support always has been a hallmark of our history," says Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "Today, thousands of companies and millions of people, including celebrities, sports stars, community leaders and families of babies born prematurely help support the March of Dimes work for stronger, healthier babies. I urge everyone to get involved with March for Babies by visiting marchforbabies.org."

Among those taking part in 2014 March for Babies:

In Los Angeles, Hilary Duff plans to join the March for Babies walk April 26^th in Exposition Park. A mom to two-year-old son, Luca, Ms. Duff is supporting this year's campaign with new public service advertisements and messages to fans and March of Dimes supporters. Joining her will be Shanola Hampton, who stars on the Showtime hit series, Shameless. Both moms will be joined by friends and family all in support of mom and baby health.

In New York City, NY Football Giants Quarterback Eli Manning serves as March for Babies Celebrity Chairman for the Manhattan March for Babies which takes place Sunday, April 27^th near Lincoln Center. Manning also supports several March of Dimes initiatives in NYC throughout the year.

Earlier in April, supermodel Niki Taylor helped kick-off March for Babies with a tour of the neonatal intensive care unit at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. Ms. Taylor then joined more than 100 top supporters for a visit to the New York Stock Exchange to ring The Closing Bell®. As a mom of four, she is proud to help encourage fellow moms and dads to march for babies and donate for stronger, healthier babies.

Racing driver Denny Hamlin drove the FedEx #11 March of Dimes March for Babies car April 7 at the Texas Motor Speedway. Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten participated the pre-race activities to raise awareness for March for Babies. Joining Mr. Hamlin and Mr. Witten was six-year-old 2014 March of Dimes National Ambassador Aidan Lamothe, who was born 12 weeks premature but survived and thrived thanks to the March of Dimes. Aidan got a special treat when Mr. Hamlin and Mr. Witten provided him with his own official fire suit for pre-race activities to help promote March of Dimes and March for Babies. See more about the race on the March for Babies blog.

Washington Redskins defensive end Stephen Bowen and his wife, Tiffany, will walk with their family team, Skyler's Gift, May 4^th in Reston, Va. The Bowens serve as local ambassadors and raise funds and awareness in honor of their newborn twin son, Skyler, who passed away from complications due to his premature birth. Learn more about the Bowens' personal story here.

TV host/personality Samantha Harris, co-host of TV show The Doctors Dr. Travis Stork, and musicians Sara Evans, Darius Rucker, Howie Dorough, and several other celebrities have also joined in to help spread the word about March for Babies and March of Dimes mission through social media this year.

For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. Find out how you can help raise funds to prevent premature birth and birth defects by walking in March for Babies at marchforbabies.org. The 2014 March for Babies is sponsored nationally by the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter Kmart, Macy's, Famous Footwear, Cigna, Sanofi Pasteur, Mission Pharmacal, United Airlines and Actavis.

SOURCE March of Dimes