LONG BRANCH – Diann Johnston, vice president, patient care services, Monmouth Medical Center, has taken on the role of Jersey Shore March for Babies chair to raise awareness and important funding to provide for babies who are born premature or with birth defects.
Johnston has made the commitment to raise $56,000 as part of the overall goal of $280,000 in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
March for Babies, the March of Dimes largest fundraiser, helps fund lifesaving research and educational programs aimed at helping moms have healthy babies. Last year in Monmouth and Ocean counties more than $270,000 was raised. This year, as March for Babies chair, Johnston will focus on recruiting new companies to participate and lead the community in making a difference for the health of moms and babies.
“As a business leader, this campaign gives me and my company a unique opportunity to help the community that I love. I can’t think of a more important cause than our babies,” said Johnston, who will be asking other local businesses for their support in the coming months. “One in nine of our babies here in New Jersey is born premature, and that’s just not acceptable. “
The Jersey Shore March for Babies will be held on Sunday, May 4, on the Asbury Park boardwalk. Area residents can sign up at www.marchforbabies.org and start a team with coworkers, family or friends. Last year, more than 700 people attended the event.
