NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- March of Dimes New York Division announced today that two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning and tennis professional Venus Williams, will serve as Celebrity Co-Chairs for March for Babies in New York City. The event, which takes place on Sunday, April 29, is March of Dimes largest annual fundraising event.

"We are thrilled to have Eli and Venus supporting our premier fundraising event," said Rob Kindler, NY Division's March for Babies Chairman. "Over the past several seasons, Eli's partnership has been invaluable to the March for Babies Campaign in New York City. This year, our goal is to raise $3 million. With Venus and Eli teaming up to support our 2012 Campaign, I am confident we will meet that goal." This is Manning's fifth year partnering with the March of Dimes New York Division. In 2009, Williams was honored with the March of Dimes Sportswoman of the Year Award; this is her first year participating in March for Babies. Kindler, who sits on the March of Dimes NY Division Board of Directors, is Vice Chairman and Global Head of Mergers & Acquisitions for Morgan Stanley.  

Manning and Williams will join over 10,000 New Yorkers on Sunday, April 29th in Manhattan.  

The walk is 3.5 miles; starting at 63rd St. and Columbus Ave. and ending at 23rd St. and Madison Ave. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. and the walk steps off at 10 a.m. For more information and to register visit www.marchforbabies.org or call 212.353.8357. To support Eli's March for Babies® Team or make a donation visit www.marchforbabies.org/team/t1704479

Premature birth touches half a million babies and their families every year in the United States, including over 30,000 in New York State. Preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn death and babies born too soon are more likely to have lifelong disabilities. Babies born healthy need champions too, to assure they have access to newborn screening and preventive health care. March of Dimes is there for all babies, those born healthy and those who need help to survive.

National March for Babies sponsors are Kmart, Farmers, Cigna, Famous Footwear, Sanofi Pasteur, FedEx, Mission Pharmacal, Watson Pharmaceuticals, First Response, and United. Local sponsors include AECOM, CITI, Ernst&Young, IMG, Morgan Stanley, New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, and Viacom. Media sponsors are CBS2, WCBS Newsradio 880, fresh 102.7, CBS FM 101.1, NY1 News and NY1 Noticias. 

March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com/ny or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Contact:
Ruby Wint, 212 353.8365, rwint@marchofdimes.com

SOURCE March of Dimes