MAYOR GIULIANI TEAMS UP WITH FOOTBALL GREAT JOE NAMATH AND THE MARCH OF DIMES TO FIGHT BIRTH DEFECTS
Encourages All New Yorkers to Register for WalkAmerica '98
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, joined by football Hall-of-Famer Joe Namath, today proclaimed April as March of Dimes WalkAmerica '98 Month in New York City in celebration of the 28th Annual WalkAmerica, to benefit the fight against birth defects and infant mortality. WalkAmerica '98 will take place on Sunday, April 26th with a 10-mile walk in Manhattan and a 12-mile walk in Staten Island.
The Mayor and Joe Namath were joined by Mark Rothmayr, Executive Director of the Greater New York Chapter of the March of Dimes, and Kurt A. Weimer, President and General Manager of CIGNA HealthCare Tri-State Region and WalkAmerica chairman.
"WalkAmerica '98 will benefit the March of Dimes' efforts to eliminate birth defects and reduce infant mortality rates," Mayor Giuliani said. "Eighteen thousand New Yorkers from all walks of life will come together to give newborn babies the gift of life. After three decades of research and educational campaigns, the outlook for newborn children is better than it has ever been, thanks to the landmark work of the March of Dimes. I want to thank the March of Dimes and CIGNA HealthCare for their important corporate sponsorship of WalkAmerica '98. I urge all New Yorkers to sign up for the 28th Annual WalkAmerica.
"As Mayor of New York City and a New York Jets fan, it is also a pleasure to welcome Joe Namath to City Hall today," the Mayor continued. "Few quarterbacks had the flair and athletic ability that Broadway Joe possessed. Many laughed when Joe guaranteed a Jets' victory over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, but he backed up his words on the field and led the AFL to its first Super Bowl victory. Today, Joe has teamed-up with the March of Dimes to fight birth defects. And with Joe Namath on our team, I know that WalkAmerica '98 will be bigger and better than ever."
(over) Joe Namath said, "My wife and I have two healthy daughters, but I know that not all parents are as fortunate. I hope that the day will come when every parent knows the joy of having a healthy baby. That's why I joined WalkAmerica, to help give every baby a healthy start."
Kurt Weimer said, "Each year, I not only walk with my company team, but also with my wife and two daughters. It is our way of demonstrating our gratitude to the March of Dimes for 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. Fifteen thousand walkers participated in last year's WalkAmerica, raising $2 million to support March of Dimes programs. Over the last 28 years, WalkAmerica has raised more than $800 million nationwide. An estimated 18,000 New Yorkers are expected to walk in the 28th Annual WalkAmerica.
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose 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. During the last three decades 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.
The Manhattan edition of WalkAmerica '98 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 '98 should call 1-800-BIGWALK (1-800-244-9255).
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