B&W Y-12, ATLC continue tradition, donate $15,000 to March of Dimes

Submitted

B&W Y-12 and Atomic Trades and Labor Council marked the 15th year of the Y-12 National Security Complex’s support of The March of Dimes Tennessee Chapter with a $15,000 donation to advance maternal and infant health in the East Tennessee Community.

“B&W Y-12 and the ATLC have been incredible supporters of our work to help fund research and projects in East Tennessee communities,” said Susie Racek, executive director for March of Dimes East Tennessee Divisions. “They have been instrumental in supporting projects in the local hospital NICUs (neonatal intensive care units) and, in particular, funding and helping create the ‘Butterfly Room’ in East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, where families of premature babies who will not be going home can privately spend their last moments with the child.”

B&W Y-12 President Chuck Spencer and ATLC President Steve Jones recently toured Children’s Hospital to learn more about the healthcare needs of children in the area, a press release said.

“Children’s Hospital and March of Dimes are doing some incredible work in our community,” Spencer said. “Thousands of babies are born prematurely each year in America, and Tennessee ranks high in that number. Progress is being made, but there’s still a lot of work to do, and we’re honored to be able to help.”

ATLC President Steve Jones said: “We want to change the statistics in East Tennessee for the better so that nobody has to endure the trauma of a child born too early. I’m proud of our membership, who consistently supports the mission of the March of Dimes.”

In addition to awarding $30 million for biomedical research each year nationally, the March of Dimes also gives financial support to initiate community-based projects that hold promise to help reduce birth defects and infant mortality by addressing particular local needs, the press release said.

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Each week in the state of Tennessee, 221 babies are born prematurely, the release said. In 2012, the Tennessee Chapter of the March of Dimes invested more than $1.6 million dollars in Tennessee for program services, including national research grants, community grants, and local public and professional education. Through these grants, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com/tennessee, nacersano.org, or givingmatters.com.

The press release said 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.