March of Dimes to Honor African-American Leaders, Raise Awareness of Risks That African-American Babies Face

Business Wire, June 26, 2002

News/Business/Lifestyle Editors & Health/Medical Writers

The March of Dimes Greater Los Angeles Division will host the Fourth Annual "Healthy Babies-Healthy Futures Dinner, A Salute to African-American Families" on Saturday, June 29, 2002, at 6:00 p.m. in the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown's Grand Ballroom.

The fundraiser will honor four members of the Los Angeles community for their outstanding efforts to enhance the lives of African-American families. The dinner gala also serves to raise awareness of the critical importance of improving maternal and infant health in the African-American community.

The honorees are: Nelson Atkins, partner, Atkins and Evans Attorneys at Law; Paula Madison, president and general manager, KNBC-TV Channel 4; John Williams, III, M.D., director, Division of Reproductive Genetics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; and William I. Young, M.D., internist, Cana Medical Group.

Special guests include Nancy O'Dell, co-host of "Access Hollywood" introducing KNBC's Paula Madison; Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas will introduce Dr. John Williams; Attorney Johnnie Cochran to introduce Nelson Atkins; Calvin J. Hobel, M.D., interim chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai will introduce Dr. William Young; and Kim Gregory, M.D., Obstetrician-Gynecologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center introducing Genia and Walter Mills, local March of Dimes Ambassadors that will share a very personal story about their 14-month-old daughter Alycia Mills, born at 25 weeks of pregnancy.

Actress Vanessa Williams and entertainer Lewis Dix will serve as masters of ceremonies. Williams, who currently plays Maxine in Showtime Network's original series "Soul Food," is also 2001 and 2002 celebrity spokesperson for the March of Dimes National Ambassador Program. Five years ago, due to minor complications, Williams delivered her son in a hospital instead of a birthing center as she had planned. She cites this as her wake-up call that complications could happen to anyone at any time.

"I'm in awe of the miraculous event of motherhood, and I see myself as an advocate for babies and moms," said Williams. "It's empowering for women to care for themselves, particularly African-American mothers who are twice as likely as White mothers to begin prenatal care late or not at all."

Dix has emceed all the Healthy Babies dinners, and is a host of numerous shows and events. He currently interviews celebrities as host of "Urban Entertainment Buzz," a syndicated entertainment new show airing nationwide.

"Men share in the journey of having a family," said Dix. "They are becoming more aware and involved in the care of the mother and the life she's nurturing. Thankfully, the March of Dimes helps to provide this awareness."

"African-American babies face special health problems, such as a higher rate of premature births than for any other racial/ethnic group," said Bruce Allen, Jr., Dr. P.H., assistant professor at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, and a March of Dimes Los Angeles Division Board member. "In addition, some babies are born with a low birthweight. Here, too, the statistics are higher -- in Los Angeles County, while the overall rate of low birthweight is 6.75%, the rate for African-American babies, 12.3%, is nearly double that. Fortunately, one of the highest priorities of the March of Dimes is to erase racial disparities in health outcomes for babies, and preventing prematurity is the focus of a major health campaign to be launched in January 2003," Allen said.

The Healthy Babies-Healthy Futures Executive Committee is headed by Faye McClure, president, Farmers Action for Communities of Tomorrow, (F.A.C.T.), a subsidiary of Farmers Insurance Group. Co-Chairs are Ken Bentley, vice president, Community Affairs, Nestle, and Arthur I. Johnson, M.D., Obstetrics & Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Group. Committee members include Dr. Allen; Suzon Long-Bivins, formerly Associated Press; and Brian Thompson, Esq., State of California.

"The March of Dimes imagines a day when all babies will be born healthy, and no baby will have to struggle just to survive. As event chairman, I'm very pleased to play a role in making this ambitious dream come true," said McClure, "and I'm very grateful to Farmers Insurance and our other individual and corporate sponsors for their generosity in supporting such an important cause in our community."

The dinner's Presenting Sponsor is Farmers Insurance Group. Gold Sponsors are Board Ford, Friskies, and Zurich. The Silver Sponsor is Nestle. Bronze Sponsors include Atkins and Evans Law Firm; Cana Medical Group; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Crawford & Co.; Jacqueline and Paul Monash; L.A. Care Health Plan; and McCormick, Barstow, Sheppard, Wayle and Carruth Law Office.

A VIP Reception and silent auction, which begin at 6:00 p.m., are followed by dinner and the awards presentation at 7:30 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the students from Educating Young Minds (EYM). Tickets are $150. For tickets or event information, please contact Cory Ervin at 213/637-5042 or cervin@marchofdimes.com.