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Why is the March of Dimes called the March of Dimes?

Most people know that the March of Dimes works to prevent birth defects and premature births.

So what does the March of Dimes have to do with vaccines?

Why is the March of Dimes actually called the March of Dimes?

The March of Dimes actually got its start as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. Established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938, that organization worked to support people with polio.

The March of Dimes helped fund the initial research into preventing and treating polio.
The March of Dimes helped fund the initial research into preventing and treating polio.

Eddie Cantor, a popular radio personality at the time, to help support the Roosevelt’s foundation, called for:

“a march of dimes to reach all the way to the White House.”

Over the years, they collected millions of dimes and helped support the research and development of the first polio vaccines.

More on the March of Dimes and Fighting Polio

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