MAYOR GIULIANI AND NEW YORK JETS LEGEND JOE NAMATH JOIN THE MARCH OF DIMES TO FIGHT BIRTH DEFECTS

New Yorkers Encouraged to Register for the 30th Annual WalkAmerica

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, joined by football Hall-of-Famer Joe Namath, today proclaimed April March of Dimes WalkAmerica Month and Sunday, April 30th as March of Dimes WalkAmerica Day in New York City. The Mayor issued the proclamation in recognition of the 30th Annual March of Dimes WalkAmerica, which benefits the fight against birth defects and infant mortality. WalkAmerica '00 will take place on Sunday, April 30th with a 10-mile walk in Manhattan and a 12-mile walk in Staten Island. This will be the seventh consecutive year the Mayor has participated in the March of Dimes WalkAmerica Day.

"For 30 years the March of Dimes WalkAmerica has galvanized New Yorkers and people throughout the country around a fundamentally important cause -- preventing birth defects," said Mayor Giuliani. "On Sunday, April 30th, thousands of people will come together to help raise awareness and money for this cause. For the third year in a row, Joe Namath has teamed-up with the March of Dimes, and with Broadway Joe on our team, I know that WalkAmerica '00 will be bigger and better than ever and I thank them for their support in the fight against birth defects."

The Manhattan edition of WalkAmerica '00 will begin and end at Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park, while the Staten Island Mall will serve as the start/finish line for the Staten Island walk. Individuals or groups wishing to register for WalkAmerica '00 should call 1-800-BIGWALK (1-800-244-9255).

Former New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath said, "This is my third year serving as celebrity spokesman for WalkAmerica. The March of Dimes has made it possible for millions of babies to be born healthy and as the father of two healthy daughters I am grateful to the March of Dimes. This is my way of saying thanks."

In New York last year more than 15,000 people participated in WalkAmerica, which helped to raise $2 million to support March of Dimes programs. This year an estimated 18,000 New Yorkers are expected to participate in the 30th Annual WalkAmerica. Over the past 29 years, WalkAmerica has raised more than $800 million nationwide.

Kurt Weimer, WalkAmerica Chairman and General Manager of CIGNA HealthCare's Tri-State Region, said, "WalkAmerica is about teamwork. It's the commitment of thousands of New Yorkers, who put their feet together to help the March of Dimes continue its lifesaving work, including emphasizing the importance of prenatal care and education for expectant parents." Cigna HealthCare is a national sponsor of WalkAmerica and the presenting sponsor for the Greater New York Chapter's walk.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency. Its mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing and treating birth defects. The organization also works to prevent infant mortality. The March of Dimes funds community service, advocacy, research and educational programs. Over the last 30 years of WalkAmerica, the March of Dimes has achieved major health breakthroughs, including a newborn screening test for phenylketonuria (PKU) to prevent mental retardation, and the development of surfactant therapy to treat respiratory distress syndrome.

www.ci.nyc.ny.us