WHITE PLAINS, NY, APRIL 17, 2013 – Celebrities from music, film, television, and sports are lending their star power to bring attention to this year’s March for Babies, the March of Dimes premier fundraising event that will take place in 750 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in most communities at the end of April.

This is a special year because the March of Dimes is celebrating its 75th anniversary. From Frank Sinatra to Kelly Clarkson, major stars have always supported the Foundation’s work for stronger, healthier babies. Nearly 4 million babies are born each year in the United States and the March of Dimes has helped each and every one through cutting-edge research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs.

March for Babies has been held annually since 1970 and has raised a combined total of more than $2 billion to help all babies get a healthy start in life. The goal for this year’s event is to raise more than $109 million.
“The support the March of Dimes receives from every volunteer is invaluable, and celebrity support always has been a hallmark of our history,” says Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes.  “Today, millions of people, including celebrities, sports stars, community leaders and families of babies born prematurely help support the March of Dimes work for stronger, healthier babies. We hope everyone will participate in our signature fundraiser, March for Babies by visiting marchforbabies.org.”

Among those taking part in 2013 March for Babies:

In New York City, two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning of the New York Giants is  serving as March for Babies Celebrity Chair for the Manhattan March for Babies taking place on Sunday, April 28 near Lincoln Center.  March for Babies National Chair Bill Fitzgerald, Vice President and General Manager of Commercial Engines at GE Aviation, and Dr. Howse will join Manning to help kick off the walk’s opening ceremonies.

Internationally famed model Niki Taylor will help kick off March for Babies at Miami’s Tropical Park the morning of Saturday, April 27th.  This is the second year Niki will return to her hometown community to volunteer and lend her voice in support of the walk for healthier babies.   As a Mom of four, Niki is proud to bring her own family out to encourage fellow moms and supporters to join her and do all they can for stronger, healthier babies.

The Los Angeles March for Babies will take place on April 27th in Exposition Park and will be hosted by television personality Samantha Harris.  She shares her inspiration and commitment to March of Dimes mission inthis video. International superstar Dayanara Torres will help welcome walkers at the event.  She will be joined by friends and family who have formed a walk team in support of a premature baby in their lives.  Fellow celebrity momLinda Cardellini will join in this year’s Los Angeles March for Babies.

To encourage everyone to sign up for March for Babies, racing driver Brian Vickers  drove the FedEx  #11 March of Dimes car on April 13 at the Texas Motor Speedway.  Eight year-old 2013 March of Dimes National Ambassador Nina Centofanti, born nine weeks premature, got a special treat when she met the most successful woman in racing history, Danica Patrick.  FedEx racing outfitted Nina with an official fire suit for pre-race activities to help promote March of Dimes 75th Anniversary and March for Babies. See more about the race on the March for Babies blog.

Nina and her family will help lead at two March for Babies events.  The first will be with the GE Healthcare national team at the Milwaukee March for Babies on April 27th.  The Centofanti family also will join United Airlines at the Chicago Lakefront Walk in Grant Park on April 28th.  Learn more about our 2013 National Ambassador by watching Nina’s Story.

United Airlines is the Official Airline Sponsor of the March of Dimes National Ambassador Program.  The 2013 March for Babies is sponsored nationally by the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter Kmart, Farmers Insurance Group, Macy’s, Cigna, Sanofi Pasteur, Famous Footwear, Actavis, Mission Pharmacal, and United Airlines.

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.

Courtesy of March of Dimes

From a CPSC press release:

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Bugaboo Cameleon and Bugaboo Donkey Model Strollers

Units: About 46,300 in the U.S. and 4,440 in Canada

Importer: Bugaboo Americas, of El Segundo, Calif.

Manufacturer: Bugaboo International B.V., of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Hazard: A button on the stroller’s carrycot/seat carry handle can become disengaged and cause the handle to detach, posing fall and choking hazards to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: Bugaboo has received 58 reports of carry handles detaching. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the carry handles on Bugaboo Cameleon and Bugaboo Donkey model strollers with detachable carrycots/seats. The strollers were sold with a base, sun canopy and other accessories in various colors. A fabric tag on the side of the sun canopy has Bugaboo and the model name. Strollers included in the recall have a serial number that falls within the range listed below. Serial numbers are printed on the stroller’s chassis, located under the carrycot/seat.

Bugaboo Cameleon
Serial Number 04011090900001 to 04031101009999
Serial Number 08011090900001 to 08021100800386
Serial Number 140100093600531 to 140103123350418

Bugaboo Donkey
Serial Number 170101105300001 to 170104130900500

Sold at: Buy Buy Baby, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Toys R Us and other baby product stores nationwide, online at Bugaboo.com and other online retailers. The Bugaboo Cameleon was sold between September 2009 and June 2012 for about $980. The Bugaboo Donkey was sold from January 2011 through December 2012 for between $1,200 and $1,600.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the carry handle from the strollers and contact Bugaboo for a free replacement handle. Consumers can continue to use the strollers while awaiting the replacement handle.

Consumer Contact: Bugaboo International; at (800) 460-2922, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or online at www.bugaboo.com and click on “Important Quality Initiative” for more information. Consumers can email the firm at serviceus@bugaboo.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2013/16705r-eng.php

Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller

Bugaboo Donkey Stroller

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov

From a CPSC press release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should immediately inspect this product and stop using it if mold is found. Units currently in retail stores are not included in this recall to inspect.

Name of Product: Newborn Rock ‘n Play Sleeper™

Units: About 800,000 units

Importer: Fisher-Price Inc., of East Aurora, N.Y

Hazard: Mold can develop between the removable seat cushion and the hard plastic frame of the sleeper when it remains wet/moist or is infrequently cleaned, posing a risk of exposure to mold to infants sleeping in the product. The CPSC advises that mold has been associated with respiratory illnesses and other infections. Although mold is not present at the time of purchase, mold growth can occur after use of the product.

Incidents/Injuries: Fisher-Price has received 600 reports of mold on the product. Sixteen consumers have reported that their infants have been treated for respiratory issues, coughs and hives after sleeping in the product.

Description: This recall to inspect includes all Fisher-Price Rock N’ Play infant recliner seats called sleepers. The sleeper is designed for babies up to 25 pounds and is composed of a soft plastic seat held by a metal rocking frame. The product has a removable, fabric cover that is sold in 14 patterns and color palettes.

Sold at: Mass merchandise stores nationwide and online since September 2009 for between $50 and $85. Units currently in retail stores are not affected by this recall to inspect. Only products that show signs of mold after use by consumers are included in this announcement.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately check for mold under the removable seat cushion. Dark brown, gray or black spots can indicate the presence of mold. If mold is found, consumers should immediately stop using the product. Consumers can contact Fisher-Price for cleaning instructions or further assistance. Cleaning and care instructions can also be found at www.service.mattel.com or by contacting the firm.

Consumer Contact: Fisher-Price; at (800) 432-5437, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.service.mattel.com for more information.

Fisher-Price Rock ‘N Play Infant Sleeper

Fisher-Price Infant Sleeper Removable Seat Cushion

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov

From a CPSC press release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Products: Sassy®-branded Hug N’ Tug Puppy and Monkey and Carter’s®-branded Hug N’ Tug Monkey Toys

Units: About 45,300

Importer: Sassy, Inc., of Kentwood, Mich.

Hazard: The beads inside the clear plastic sphere at the center of the toys can be released and pose a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 12 reports of beads being released from the plastic clear plastic sphere body on Sassy-branded toys. There have been no such reports on the Carter’s-branded toys. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled toys for infants can be attached to a stroller or car seat using a ring connector on the toy’s head. They have arms and legs that can be easily pulled back and forth for play. The toys are approximately 12 inches tall, made of multi-colored fabrics, contain rattle beads inside a clear plastic sphere body and have the face of either a puppy or monkey. Recalled styles include: Sassy Hug N’ Tug Puppy, model #80213; Sassy Hug N’ Tug Monkey model #80214 and Carter’s-branded Hug N’ Tug Monkey, models #61083 that were sold on a blue packaging card and #61540 sold on a grey packaging card. Sassy®-branded toys have “Sassy®” written on the sewn-in label located on the back of the character’s head. The Carter’s®-branded toys have “Carter’s®” written in red on the blue plastic ring connected to the toy’s head and also the sewn-in label located on the back of the character’s head.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers such as Toys R Us and Target, independent specialty stores nationwide and online retailers such as Amazon.com and Carters.com between July 2012 and October 2012 for Sassy-branded models; and from August 2011 to October 2012 for the Carter’s-branded models. Carter’s-branded models were also sold in Carter’s retail stores. The Sassy-branded models sold for approximately $8 and the Carter’s-branded models for approximately $14.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the toys from children and contact Sassy for instructions on how to return the product for a free replacement toy.

Consumer Contact: Sassy at (800) 323-6336 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.sassybaby.com and go to the Product Recall Information link.

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1743

Sassy Hug N’ Tug Puppy

Sassy Hug N’ Tug Monkey

Carter’s Hug N’ Tug Monkey

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov

From a CPSC press release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Water Balz, Growing Skulls, H2O Orbs “Despicable Me” and Fabulous Flowers toys

Units: About 94,700 in the United States and 600 in Canada

Importer: Dunecraft Inc., of Cleveland, Ohio

Hazard: When the marble-sized toy is ingested, it expands inside the body and causes a blockage in the small intestine, resulting in severe discomfort, vomiting, dehydration and could be life threatening. The toys do not show up on an x-ray and require surgery to be removed from the body.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm received one report of an 8-month-old girl from Humble, Texas who ingested a Water Balz and suffered an intestinal obstruction in August 2011. The Water Balz had to be surgically removed.

Description: This recall involves marble-sized toys that absorb water and grow up to 400 times their original size. They were sold as Water Balz (round-shape), Growing Skulls (skull-shape), H2O Orbs “Despicable Me” (round-shape) and Fabulous Flowers (flower-shape). They were sold in packages of six in green, yellow, red, blue and black colors. “Dunecraft,” the name of the toy and the model number are printed on the toy’s packaging.

Sold at: Water Balz and Growing Skulls were sold at Bed Bath & Beyond, Five Below, Hobby Lobby, Lakeshore Learning Materials, Microcenter, Urban Outfitters Direct, Wegmans and other stores nationwide, and online at amazon.com, incrediblescience.com, keyporthobbies.com, americantoystores.com and other websites from September 2010 through November 2012 for about $3 per package. The H2O Orbs “Despicable Me” were sold exclusively at Universal Studios stores during June 2012 for about $3 per package. Fabulous Flowers were sold exclusively at Milaeger’s in Racine, Wis. from June 2012 through November 2012 for about $3 per package.

Manufactured in: China and United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take this recalled toy away from children and contact Dunecraft for a free replacement toy.

Consumer Contact: Dunecraft Inc.; at (800) 306-4168, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.dunecraft.com and click on the recall tab for more information.

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1745

Water Balz
Water Balz grow to 400 times their original size

Growing Skulls

H2O Orbs

Fabulous Flowers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov