Facts About the March of Dimes

March of Dimes was founded by President Franklin Roosevelt to combat polio.

The March of Dimes is a charitable nonprofit organization in the United States. Its primary goal is education and prevention of premature births. March of Dimes has chapters spread all over the United States.

History

The March of Dimes was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938. According to the National Museum of American History, the original name of the March of Dimes was the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. The original purpose was to fight and cure polio. In 1955, Jonas Salk invented a cure for polio using money donated to his research by the March of Dimes.

Name Origin

According to the the March of Dimes, its current name originated from comedian Eddie Cantor who coined the phrase using a pun of the then-popular "March of Time" newsreel. He used the rationale that anyone could spare a dime. The first March of Dimes fundraising campaign raised over 2.8 million dimes that were sent directly to the White House.

Present Day Mission

After the eradication of polio, the March of Dimes mission evolved to preventing premature births and helping sick infants. Its slogan is "working together for stronger, healthier babies." The organization raises money for research and education to decrease the number of unhealthy babies.

References

• March of Dimes: History
• National Museum of American History: March of Dimes
• March of Dimes: Eddie Cantor and the Origin of the March of Dimes
• March of Dimes: Mission