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Emerson “Bebo” Combs and Christie Potter were recently named as chair and co-chair of the March of Dimes March of Babies in the Kentucky River Region.

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The March of Dimes is pleased to announce that Emerson “Bebo” Combs will serve as Chair for the 2013 Kentucky River Region March for Babies and Christie Potter will serve as Co-Chair.

Bebo and Christie are both respected members of their community, and have long been active in volunteer work for the March for Babies for several years to raise awareness and important funding to provide for babies who are born premature or with birth defects. Emerson “Bebo” Combs is the Community Education Director for the Perry County Schools and resides in Hazard. Christie Potter is the Director of Clinical Services for Fastaff Travel Nursing and also resides in Hazard. Both will bring years of related leadership experience to their new respective roles with the March of Dimes.

March for Babies is the largest annual fundraising event for the March of Dimes, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2013. More than 4 million babies are born in the United States each year and the March of Dimes has helped each and every one of them through research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs.

As Chair, Bebo Combs will play an integral role in raising awareness and funds to advance the scientific research and educational programs at the core of the March of Dimes efforts to prevent preterm birth and birth defects. “My work with the March of Dimes is a real honor—especially during the Foundation’s milestone 75th anniversary year. As a father, I know the importance of the March of Dimes mission to improve the health of babies; it’s a universal cause with broad appeal and a cause that has resonated with Americans for 75 years,” said Bebo Combs. More than 4 million babies were born last year, and the March of Dimes helped each and every one through 75 years of research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs.

The March of Dimes is the champion for all babies, those born healthy and those who need help to survive and thrive. It’s a family-friendly event where the community comes together to walk for healthy babies. Co-Chair Christie Potter stated, “As a mother, I can appreciate the work of the March of Dimes. March for Babies is a great leadership experience for a great cause and is a tangible way to give back and I am proud to be a part of such a respected organization like the March of Dimes that is doing such vital work.”

Shirlene Taylor, Area Coordinator for the March of Dimes stated, “We are excited to have Emerson “Bebo” Combs as the 2013 March for Babies Chair and Christie Potter, Co-Chair. With their leadership and guidance, along with the community’s support, we can continue to make our March for Babies one of the best ever and give all our babies a better chance for a healthy start in life. Their passion for the cause and commitment to helping our babies will go a long way to making this year’s event an unqualified success.”

The March of Dimes efforts to fight premature birth are paying off –the preterm birth rate dropped five years straight. But more work is needed. Join the March for Babies in walking together for stronger, healthier babies. The 2013 March for Babies sponsored by Peoples Bank & Trust Company will be held at the Hazard Daniel Field on Sunday, April 21, 2013. All team captains are encouraged to attend the annual Kickoff luncheon which is going to be held on Thursday, February 7, 2013 beginning at noon at the New Hope Church Fellowship Hall. Volunteers can sign up today at www.marchforbabies.org and start a team with co-workers, family or friends. For more information about the Kentucky River Region March for Babies, contact Shirlene Taylor (606)487-7229 or Lynn Smith at (606) 487-7275.

The 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 by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Find March of Dimes on Facebook and follow on Twitter.