Hollywood Stars Joined in a Celebration of Babies

Halle Berry, Hank Azaria, Nicole Richie and other celebrity parents joined
March of Dimes during Prematurity Awareness Month to champion the health of
babies

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- March of Dimes hosted the
Fourth Annual Celebration of Babies luncheon to recognize prominent
individuals who are celebrating the birth of their children and who are role
models for March of Dimes commitment to improve the health of babies. As part
of the March of Dimes November Prematurity Awareness Month campaign,
celebrities and special guests were urged to join the fight for preemies!

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091108/DC07384-a )
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091108/DC07384-b )

Held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, the Celebration of Babies
luncheon honored Dr. Robert Katz M.D., obstetrician to the stars, with the
Golden Rattle Award for his commitment to the March of Dimes mission. The
March of Dimes Community Award was presented to Donna Holloran, MSW; Allison
LaTona, MFT; and Shelley Reicher-Lawrence, CPE of BABYGROUP. To view video
clips from this event go to http://public.me.com/endusermod.

The event also highlighted March of Dimes Stork Club: a group of celebrities
and prominent individuals who have welcomed a baby or who are expecting a baby
in 2009. This year's Stork Club, sponsored by Stride Rite, includes: Actor
Hank Azaria & Katie Wright, Actress Julie Bowen & Scott Phillips, Musician
Howie Dorough & Leigh Dorough, Marketing Director Mitchell Davis & Clare
Davis, Lucky Magazine W. Coast Bureau Chief Marlien Rentmeester & John Phelps,
Actress/Producer Nicole Richie & Singer Joel Madden, Actress Nicole Sullivan &
Actor Jason Packham, Producer Jennifer Todd & Actor Chris Messina. March of
Dimes celebrity volunteer parents who also attended the luncheon were Julie
Bowen, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Kellie Martin, Elisabeth Rohm, Nicole
Sullivan, Alimi Ballard, and Sean Patrick Thomas.

More than 300 guests were greeted with a luxury boutique shopping experience,
which included the finest selection of designer clothes, accessories and gifts
from vendors: Homemade Baby, Mustela, Heather Moore Jewelry, Bella Inspired,
Terri Michele Fragrances, Dr. Peter's Child Identity Kit, Petit Bijou by
Garcelle, Tough Cookies Boutique, Baby Eggi, The Silly Wagon and Dr. Fresh.
Fundraising continued with a live and silent auction where guests bid on
lavish gifts and luxurious vacations donated by the event's committee
volunteers. News anchor Lauren Sanchez hosted the luncheon program and
auction.

Through research, education, advocacy and community programs, the March of
Dimes is a champion for the health of all babies. For more than 70 years the
March of Dimes has enjoyed a rich history of Hollywood celebrity support.
Stars like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and
many others have volunteered for March of Dimes lifesaving campaigns.
Proceeds from the Los Angeles Celebration of Babies luncheon benefit March of
Dimes mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects,
premature birth, and infant mortality.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and
baby health. November is Prematurity Awareness Month, when the March of Dimes
calls on everyone who cares about babies to "Fight for Preemies." Premature
birth, the leading cause of newborn death, has reached epidemic proportions in
the U.S., affecting more than half a million babies each year. Hollywood moms
and dads are joining March of Dimes to celebrate their healthy babies and
raise funds to ensure all babies have a healthy start. For the latest
resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com/fightforpreemies or
nacersano.org.

SOURCE March of Dimes

Sara Hyde, +1-415-786-5903, or Dina Melchiorre, +1-610-334-3688, both of March
of Dimes