ARLINGTON, Virginia, April 27, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — This Spring, in honor of Mother’s Day, March of Dimes and supporting partners —  Clearblue, Enfa, The Honest Company, Macy’s, Inc., Ovia Health, and PARENTS and PARENTS LATINA — are raising awareness among moms, moms-to-be and the more than 6 million women who will become pregnant this year on how best to stay healthy and strong as they navigate their motherhood journey. In response to a growing maternal health crisis, and in the midst of a global pandemic impacting women who want to become pregnant or already are, It Starts With Mom is an online resource center to educate and inform moms and moms-to-be on health and wellness issues, and empower them to plan for the best possible start for their families.

According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in the United States approximately two babies die every hour and every 12 hours, a woman dies of pregnancy-related complications – making America among the most dangerous places to give birth in the developed world. Despite these staggering statistics, a recent Harris poll funded by the March of Dimes found that American women are lacking the resources they need in order to understand the depth and complexities of pregnancy. Only 50% of women age 19 to 44 believe there is a health crisis in the United States around women trying to get pregnant and having healthy pregnancies.

“The gap between the complicated realities of pregnancy in the U.S. and women who are largely unaware of them is wide and that is unacceptable,” said Stacey D. Stewart, President and CEO of March of Dimes. “It is our core belief that every mom and baby deserves the best possible start. Through It Starts With Mom, we are filling the void by providing women with easily accessible resources that educate and empower them as they begin to navigate their pregnancy journey.”                                             

Launched today, ItStartsWithMom.org will serve as a central hub and provide easy-to-access health and wellness information and resources, covering an array of topics related to maternal health categorized into three areas – pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and post-partum stages of the motherhood journey. According to the Harris poll, women are increasingly going online to learn about and find answers to their pregnancy-related questions. Sixty-eight percent of those surveyed report a need for a new online resource for moms, moms-to-be and their families on how to stay healthy before, during and after birth.

March of Dimes and supporting partners – Clearblue, Enfa, The Honest Company, Macy’s, Inc., Ovia Health, and PARENTS and PARENTS LATINA  – are committed to the health of moms and babies. Throughout the month of May and beyond, corporate partners will engage customers and mobilize their employees in the campaign to raise awareness of the resources made available through ItStartsWithMom.org.

“We face a very serious maternal health crisis in the United States. It is not acceptable that our country is one of the most dangerous developed nations to give birth in with this trend continuing to worsen over the last 25 years,” said The Honest Company Founder, Jessica Alba. “Now more than ever, in the wake of COVID-19, we’re faced with even more challenges as we prepare to welcome new children into this world and take care of our little ones at home. As a company dedicated to the health and well-being of all moms and children, we’re committed to helping moms everywhere who are in need of comprehensive healthcare.”

On May 7^th, The Honest Company and the March of Dimes will co-host an inaugural virtual thought leadership conference, It Starts With Mom Live, to shed light on topics that moms and moms-to-be find the most pressing today. Led by actress and The Honest Company founder, Jessica Alba, the conference will be live streamed on the March of Dimes YouTube and Facebook Channels.

“As we approach Mother’s Day, we believe the time is now to make a difference and elevate this moment for moms everywhere,” said Alba. “So we’ve partnered with March of Dimes, committing time and financial support for the ‘It Starts With Mom’ Campaign. In honor of this partnership, we will be hosting a FREE virtual summit, with healthcare, nutrition and fitness experts as well as special guests and real moms sharing their stories. By working together, we can bring awareness to this health crisis and ensure moms have access to the care and resources they need. As a mom of three, advocate for social injustices that affect women and children and founder of The Honest Company, I join my company in devoting the Month of May to Mamas everywhere. Because… real talk, every day is Mother’s Day!” 

March of Dimes is committed to leveling the playing field for all moms and babies, no matter their age, socio-economic background, demographics or situation. We must do more to support moms and encourage all women to discuss concerns or issues they have about their health before, during and after pregnancy directly with their doctor. For more information, please visit: ItStartsWithMom.org.

About March of Dimes

March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. Building on a successful legacy of more than 80 years of impact and innovation, we empower every mom and every family. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/513643/March_of_Dimes_Foundation_Logo.jpg

SOURCE March of Dimes

IRVINE, Calif., April 24, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — In response to a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kia Motors has delivered an initial supply of 15,000 face shields produced at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA). 

“Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia asked how they could help, and then stepped up to provide life-saving equipment for the heroes on the front lines in the battle against COVID-19,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner, Pat Wilson. “We thank Kia once again for being such a strong partner in our Georgia-made family.”  

Face shields are being assembled by paid volunteers from KMMG, which has implemented a series of safety measures to protect team members, including: conducting temperature scans, providing face masks and gloves, and staggering workstations. 

Kia will be gradually increasing face shield production, ultimately reaching a capacity of 200,000 units per month, in support of donations the company has scheduled over the next several weeks to medical facilities in Southern California and New York. Face shield production is the latest extension of Kia’s Accelerate the Good program following the company’s pledge to donate a total of $1 million to non-profit partners that assist homeless youth nationwide, including Covenant House, StandUp for Kids and Family Promise. Kia’s donation will help provide much needed shelter and care to help fight the spread of COVID-19. Earlier, Kia donated N95 masks and gloves to medical facilities throughout Orange County, California, where the brand’s U.S. headquarters is located.

“Kia is a proud member of the Georgia community and the talented team members of Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia are giving it everything to supply desperately needed protective equipment to those on the frontlines of this pandemic,” said Sean Yoon, president and CEO, Kia Motors North America. “Kia is grateful to both GEMA representatives and the healthcare workers on the frontlines of this crisis for their ongoing courage and bravery and hope that this donation helps them continue to give it everything.”

Kia will continue to look for ways to best utilize its resources and support its valued customers and communities during this time.

About Kia Motors America

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America has been the highest ranked mass market brand in initial quality for five consecutive years according to J.D. Power¹, and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands by Interbrand.  Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly assembled in West Point, Georgia.*

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

*The Telluride, Sorento and Optima (excluding Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

¹ Kia received the lowest rate of reported problems among mass market brands in the J.D. Power 2015-19 U.S. Initial Quality Studies of new vehicle owners’ experiences with their own vehicle after 90 days of ownership. Visit jdpower.com/awards for more details.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1159828/Kia_Motors_Medical_Use_Face_Shields.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/714298/Kia_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Kia Motors America