Contact: Colleen Roche/Curt Ritter (212) 788-2958
The Mayor and Joe Namath were joined by Kurt A. Weimer WalkAmerica Chairman and General Manager of CIGNA HealthCare's Tri-State Region, Lawrence Aiken, Chairman of the Greater New York Chapter of the March of Dimes, and Mark Roithmayr, Executive Director of the Greater New York Chapter of the March of Dimes.
"For 29 years the March of Dimes WalkAmerica has galvanized New Yorkers and people throughout the country around a fundamentally important cause -- preventing birth defects," Mayor Giuliani said. "On Sunday, April 25, thousands of people will come together to help raise awareness and money for this cause. Since 1960, thanks to the strong advocacy of groups like the March of Dimes and wonderful work by doctors and researchers across the country, the rate of infant deaths due to birth defects has been cut in half. In New York City, government has worked hard over the last five years to make all mothers and newborns as healthy as possible -- and we're making real progress. And for the second year in a row, Joe Namath has teamed-up with the March of Dimes. With Broadway Joe on our team, I know that WalkAmerica '99 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 '99 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 '99 should call 1-800-BIGWALK (1-800-244-9255).
Former New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath said, "This is my second 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 and 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 29th Annual WalkAmerica. Over the past 28 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."
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 29 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.