Philadelphia, PA – (5/8/2012) – Playing their part in the Chestnut Hill College community, the women's basketball and soccer teams combined efforts to support Lily's Loop – Walk for the March of Dimes. On Wednesday, April 18, the Griffins took part in a campus wide fundraiser for Lily Driscoll, a local girl who was born seven weeks premature. In all, Chestnut Hill College raised $1,581 through the March of Dimes, a non-for-profit organization whose aim is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.
 
Lilian “Lily” Hope Driscoll was born seven weeks premature, at only 2 lbs. 12 oz. and 15 inches long. She had a very rough beginning, but with her strength, wonderful doctors, hope & prayers, she was able to rise above it all. Lily will be four-and-a-half years old on January 25th. She is an amazing, energetic girl, who is extremely smart and has a beautiful personality. Lily is attending preschool at Nativity Lutheran Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where she has fantastic teachers and tons of friends. She is also taking gymnastics classes at The Little Gym, loves to read, and help to take care of our dogs.
 
Lil's parents, Jen and Justin Driscoll, thank God every day for the amazing gift He has given them; she has changed their lives forever. They remain forever grateful to the great doctors and nurses and would like to help other babies now that have, or will share Lily's experiences.
 
The March of Dimes was established in 1938 by President Franklin Roosevelt, who due to his personal struggle with polio led him to create the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. Better known as the March of Dimes, the foundation established a polio patient aid program and funded research for vaccines developed by Jonas Salk, MD and Albert Sabin, MD. These vaccines effectively ended epidemic polio in the United States. The foundation later turned its focus to preventing birth defects and infant mortality. The March of Dimes has led the way to discover the genetic causes of birth defects, to promote newborn screening, and to educate medical professionals and the public about best practices for healthy pregnancy.