WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 12, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Top corporate contributor, Kmart, has donated $250,000 to boost March of Dimes' Zika advocacy and education campaign called #ZAPzika.

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Kelly Cook, Kmart's chief marketing officer and the mother of triplets born prematurely, accompanied the March of Dimes 2016 National Ambassador family to a visit with President Barack Obama at the White House last week. Afterwards, Kmart, the top corporate sponsor for the March of Dimes for 33 years, pledged additional funds to help support the fight against Zika.

"It's a great honor to make this donation after our discussion with President Obama," said Ms. Cook. "It reflects the passion of all Kmart associates and our Shop Your Way members nationwide. We are passionate about the March of Dimes campaign to educate and advocate for healthy moms and babies in the United States, and we invite other corporations to join in this vital fight."

Kmart has raised more than $140 million since 1983, supporting research, education, and other programs to help prevent premature birth, the leading killer of babies.

"Kmart is the gold standard for corporate philanthropy," says Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "For 33 years Kmart, their associates and customers, have helped give every baby a fighting chance and now they are leading the fight against the Zika virus."

For more information Kmart's work with the March of Dimes, visit kmart.com/marchofdimes.

March of Dimes' Mission to #ZAPZika

Puerto Rican native Ismael Torres-Castrodad, this year's March of Dimes National Ambassador and his mother, Ismari Castrodad, had a special message for the President during their visit to the White House on June 30. They told the President that they have friends and acquaintances who were infected by the Zika virus acquired in Puerto Rico, and the March of Dimes believes it's only a matter of time before the same thing happens in the continental U.S.

"After hearing 13-year-old Ismael speak from the heart with President Obama about their shared passion to prevent Zika infection in the U.S., I knew Kmart had to lead the effort to help," said Ms. Cook.

As part of the campaign, March of Dimes issued the top 5 tips for Zika Prevention (#ZAPzika):


    1. Use spray, keep mosquitoes away: make sure it's EPA registered.
    2. Say you will, embrace the chill: use air conditioning and window screens
       if possible.
    3. If it's wet, it's a threat: remove still water.
    4. Get protected, not infected: wear clothes to prevent bites. Use a condom
       to prevent sexual transmission.
    5. If you suspect, then connect: call your health care provider if you are
       at risk of infection.

The March of Dimes provides up-to-the-minutes education on Zika prevention in both English and Spanish. The English website is www.marchofdimes.org/zika and Spanish website is www.nacersano.org/zika. Or, you can ask a question in both languages at www.marchofdimes.org/ask-us.aspx.

About Kmart
 Kmart is making shopping fun again. The retailer, a subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is bringing back the iconic Bluelight Specials, hosting Freebie Saturdays and in-store family events for its Shop Your Way members and customers. Kmart offers customers thrilling deals and amazing finds on quality products and exclusive brands including Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Route 66 and Smart Sense.

About the March of Dimes
 The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. For the latest resources and health information, visit our websites marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org. If you have been affected by prematurity or birth defects, visit our shareyourstory.org community to find comfort and support. For detailed national, state and local perinatal statistics, visit persistats.org. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

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SOURCE March of Dimes