The March of Dimes, the leading advocacy group for premature babies and women at risk for pre-term labor, is petitioning the White House to go purple for the 75th anniversary of the nonprofit as a show of support for preemies and their families. MOD is hoping to get 25,000 signatures on its online petition before November 15th to grant their wish of lighting up the White House in its signature color. As the birthplace of the organization, the White House has special significance. President Franklin D. Roosevelt founded the March of Dimes in January of 1938 to help America conquer the polio disease and develop a cure. The March of Dimes funded the development of the Salk vaccine, licensed in 1955, as well as the Sabin vaccine in 1962. This vaccine is still given to babies today, saving lives and greatly reducing the number of people affected by polio. After polio was eradicated in the United States, it shifted its focus to prematurity. Plus: March of Dimes Says No Non-Medical Inductions Before 39 Weeks Preterm birth occurs when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, and it can lead to a lifetime of health issues for little ones. According to the Institute of Medicine, this public health concern costs the United States at least $26 billion a year. Preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn death. Click here to sign the petition now!