Birmingham, AL —The March of Dimes Alabama Chapter is pleased to announce that Garry L. Gause, President and Chief Executive Officer of Brookwood Medical Center, will serve as honorary chair for WalkAmerica, the March of Dimes’ biggest fund-raising event. Known throughout Alabama for his community involvement and commitment to improving the health care for citizens of Alabama, Mr. Gause will bring added visibility and leadership to his new role as honorary chair of WalkAmerica that supports March of Dimes efforts to fight premature birth.

"I am honored to be asked to help with this very worth event and cause," Gause said. "For decades, we at Brookwood Medical Center have been committed to providing the very best in prenatal care for our patients and their families. Now we have the opportunity to take that commitment one big step further, by raising awareness and money for the March of Dimes’ effort to eliminate premature birth."

Premature birth is the leading cause of infant death. The babies who survive can have long-term consequences including chronic health problems and developmental disabilities.

Money raised for WalkAmerica supports research and programs to help find answers to premature birth and other infant health threats. The results benefit babies here in Alabama and across the nation.

To learn more about forming a team for the WalkAmerica event on Saturday, April 24, 2004 call 205-824-0103 or visit walkamerica.org.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a five-year campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org