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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)-Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. received the Gail Margolis March of Dimes Advocacy and Government Affairs Volunteer Champion Award in a special presentation before more than forty volunteers and staff at the annual March of Dimes day of advocacy and awareness. Volunteers came from across the state to Sacramento to educate legislators about the March of Dimes mission and advocate for key 2018 legislative initiatives.
The dedicated volunteers of the service organization were recognized by March of Dimes for their significant contributions by supporting numerous advocacy efforts including policies related to newborn screening, health care access and maternal and child health programs.
“We are honored to be recognized by March of Dimes, an organization which has been making a difference in the health of moms and babies for eighty years,” said Joann Loveless, member of Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority, Inc., and March of Dimes California Advocacy & Government Affairs Committee.
“We are grateful for the support of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.,” said Erric S. Garris, March of Dimes California Director of Advocacy & Government Affairs. “We are delighted to be able to recognize them for their passion and tireless support of key programs and policies that help tackle the biggest health threats to moms and babies.”
March of Dimes renamed the volunteer advocacy award the Gail Margolis March of Dimes Advocacy & Government Affairs Volunteer Champion Award in honor of Gail Margolis, the past Chair of the California Advocacy & Government Affairs Committee. Gail passed away in September 2016. She served as Chair of the Advocacy & Government Affairs Committee for ten years. Her advocacy leadership led to numerous legislative achievements at the State Capitol including several expansions of newborn screening to require testing for cystic fibrosis, hearing loss, severe combined immunodeficiency and critical congenital heart disease, restored funding to key maternal and child health programs and increased access to health care for women and children.
