PICKENS COUNTY — Jim Hill of Pickens County will serve as Chair for the 2010 March for Babies, the March of Dimes biggest fundraiser. He is committed to helping reach the event goal of $126,000 to support March of Dimes research and community programs to help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies to begin healthy lives.

In Pickens County March for Babies will take place on April 24, 2010 at Easley High School.

“In order for the March of Dimes to continue to support all the efforts in South Carolina, the need for Pickens County to participate in March for Babies is more important than ever,” says Hill. “I challenge Pickens County’s business leaders to join me to raise critical funds so that all babies have the chance to be born healthy.”

“Without the support from Pickens County the March of Dimes may have to cut back on research that saves babies’ lives,” says Jim Hill. “In addition, we may not be able to fund as many community education programs in 2010.”

Known throughout Pickens County for his impact on business, Jim will bring added leadership to March for Babies by recruiting a team of high impact team of volunteers whose sole focus will be raising new dollars for the event. Several volunteers have already joined the effort including Will Huss with Trehel Corporation, Pam Durham and Donna Richardson with SunTrust, Beth Wilson with Carolina First, and Yvonne Bolding and Kay Hiott with the School District of Pickens County.

“We are honored to have Jim lead the way.” said Will Huss, President of Trehel Corporation. “When our leaders publicly stand with a cause they support, they show the whole community the value of volunteer service and community involvement.”

“I’m serving as the 2010 Chair for March for Babies because I believe this is our best opportunity to bring visibility to the March for Babies,” says Jim. “If we can give a child a healthy birth, we’ve had a positive impact on their future quality of life.”

The most urgent infant health problem in the U.S. today is premature birth. It affects more than half a million babies each year, with the number growing every day. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities. The March of Dimes is committed to reducing this toll by funding research to find the answers to premature birth and providing comfort and information to families who are affected.

In 2009 the South Carolina March of Dimes has invested 1.5 million dollars in program services, including research grants and local community services. Through these grants, the March of Dimes is seeking ways to prevent birth defects and infant death, reduce South Carolina’s increasing premature birth rate, increase access to prenatal care and educate men and women about having healthy babies.

In Pickens County March for Babies is sponsored by Cornell Dubilier, Edward Jones, and The Easley Progress. The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies®, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.