The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (NFIP) was created in 1938 by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It's mission was to lead, direct, and unify the fight against polio. At the time, polio was a paralyzing viral disease that affected children. The NFIP's annual event was called The March of Dimes which gradually became synonymous with that of the organization.In 1958, The March of Dimes changed it's mission from fighting polio to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, infant mortality, and premature birth.
Currently, 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.
March of Dimes awards $250,000 prize to 2 scientists who pioneered advances in skin disorders
Honorees revealed workings of skin stem cells and developed skin grafts for burn victims
Two scientists who have revolutionized the understanding of skin biology, creating crucial advances in treating skin cancers and other diseases as well as severe burns, have been chosen to receive the 2012 March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology.
Howard Green, MD, George Higginson Professor of Cell Biology, Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, and Elaine Fuchs, PhD, Rebecca C. Lancefield Professor, Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology & Development, Howard Hughes Medical Investigator, Rockefeller University, will share this year's prize.
