March of Dimes Names 2014 Middlesex County March for Babies Chairperson

The March of Dimes Connecticut Chapter is pleased to announce that Jonathan M. Shapiro, partner of Shapiro Law Offices, has been named Chairperson of the March of Dimes 2014 Middlesex County March for Babies event.

Shapiro was recognized as a Connecticut Super Lawyer “Rising Star” in 2010-2013, and was honored by the Fairfield County Business Journal at the 2011 40-Under-40 Awards Dinner. In November 2012, he was named as a "New Leader in the Law" by the Connecticut Law Tribune.  He is very active in his community, including serving as chairperson of the March of Dimes Connecticut Chapter board of directors and as the Assistant Treasurer-Secretary of the Connecticut Bar Association.  He lives in Middletown with his wife and two children.

March for Babies, the organization’s largest annual fundraising event to support its mission to give every baby a healthy start, will be held at Union Park in Middletown on Saturday, May 3rd.  As chair, Shapiro will play an integral role in raising awareness and funds to advance the scientific research and educational programs at the core of the March of Dimes effort to find causes and preventions for preterm birth and birth defects. 

The mission of the March of Dimes is a personal one to Shapiro, whose older sister was born one month premature.  Before the age of 12, she had suffered a stroke and endured four open heart surgeries in an attempt to correct a congenital heart defect.  Sadly, she ultimately lost her battle.

“She taught me what it means to live life,” said Shapiro.  “Today, there are treatments, many due to March of Dimes funding, which could have saved my sister.  Volunteering with the March of Dimes and supporting their continuing efforts to give all babies a healthy start is extremely rewarding.  It is a mission that touches us all.”

A March for Babies kick-off and information session will be hosted by Shapiro on Wednesday, February 26th from 6-8 pm at La Boca Mexican Restaurant and Cantina (337 Main Street, Middletown).  Business and community leaders are encouraged to attend to learn more about March of Dimes initiatives and how they can support March for Babies in Middletown.  For more information contact Kevin Gallagher, March of Dimes Community Director, at 860-815-9360 or kgallagher@marchofdimes.com.

Registration for March for Babies is now open at marchforbabies.org/event/middlesexcounty. Those who register online and raise $100 before February 28 will receive a March for Babies water bottle.

Middlesex County March for Babies is sponsored locally by Shapiro Law Offices, Middlesex Hospital, State Wide Insurance, LLC, 102.9 DRC-FM; supported by statewide sponsors, NBC Connecticut and Comcast; and sponsored nationally by the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter Kmart, Macy’s, Famous Footwear, Cigna, Sanofi Pasteur, Mission Pharmacal and United Airlines.

For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines and breakthrough.  Find out how you can help raise funds to prevent premature birth and birth defects by walking in March for Babies at marchforbabies.org.  Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.