WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.,
July 12, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- Top corporate contributor, Kmart, has donated $250,000 to boost March of Dimes' Zika advocacy
and education campaign called #ZAPzika.
Kelly Cook, Kmart's chief
marketing officer and the mother of triplets born prematurely,
accompanied the March of Dimes 2016 National Ambassador family to a
visit with President Barack Obama at
the White House last week. Afterwards, Kmart, the top corporate
sponsor for the March of Dimes for 33 years, pledged additional
funds to help support the fight against Zika.
"It's a great honor to make this donation after our discussion
with President Obama," said Ms. Cook. "It reflects the passion of
all Kmart associates and our Shop Your Way members nationwide. We
are passionate about the March of Dimes campaign to educate and
advocate for healthy moms and babies in the United States, and we invite other
corporations to join in this vital fight."
Kmart has raised more than $140
million since 1983, supporting research, education, and
other programs to help prevent premature birth, the leading killer
of babies.
"Kmart is the gold standard for corporate philanthropy," says
Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of
the March of Dimes. "For 33 years Kmart, their associates and
customers, have helped give every baby a fighting chance and now
they are leading the fight against the Zika virus."
For more information Kmart's work with the March of Dimes, visit
kmart.com/marchofdimes.
March of Dimes' Mission to #ZAPZika
Puerto Rican native Ismael Torres-Castrodad, this year's
March of Dimes National Ambassador and his mother, Ismari Castrodad, had a special message for the
President during their visit to the White House on June 30. They
told the President that they have friends and acquaintances who
were infected by the Zika virus acquired in Puerto Rico, and the March of Dimes believes
it's only a matter of time before the same thing happens in the
continental U.S.
"After hearing 13-year-old Ismael speak from the heart with
President Obama about their shared passion to prevent Zika
infection in the U.S., I knew Kmart had to lead the effort to
help," said Ms. Cook.
As part of the campaign, March of Dimes issued the top 5 tips
for Zika Prevention (#ZAPzika):
- Use spray, keep mosquitoes away: make sure it's EPA
registered.
- Say you will, embrace the chill: use air conditioning
and window screens if possible.
- If it's wet, it's a threat: remove still water.
- Get protected, not infected: wear clothes to prevent
bites. Use a condom to prevent sexual transmission.
- If you suspect, then connect: call your health care
provider if you are at risk of infection.
The March of Dimes provides up-to-the-minutes education on Zika
prevention in both English and Spanish. The English website is
www.marchofdimes.org/zika and Spanish website is
www.nacersano.org/zika. Or, you can ask a question in both
languages at www.marchofdimes.org/ask-us.aspx.
About Kmart
Kmart is making shopping fun again. The
retailer, a subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:
SHLD), is bringing back the iconic Bluelight Specials, hosting
Freebie Saturdays and in-store family events for its Shop Your Way
members and customers. Kmart offers customers thrilling deals and
amazing finds on quality products and exclusive brands including
Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Route 66 and Smart Sense.
About the March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the
leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For
more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of
Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. For the
latest resources and health information, visit our websites
marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org. If you have been affected by
prematurity or birth defects, visit our shareyourstory.org
community to find comfort and support. For detailed national, state
and local perinatal statistics, visit persistats.org. You can also
find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
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SOURCE March of Dimes