March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit fighting for the health of all moms and babies, is pleased to announce that Olympic gold medalist, entrepreneur and author Shawn Johnson East and former NFL player Andrew East have joined the organization’s Celebrity Advocate Council to advocate for the health of all moms and babies. As previous supporters who have been impacted by March of Dimes’ mission, the couple will help raise awareness of the nation’s maternal and infant health crisis and advocate for the steps we can take to address it.
To kick off their new roles with March of Dimes, Shawn and Andrew created a special video message for healthcare workers – thanking them for putting their own lives on hold to work tirelessly to keep everyone safe and healthy during the pandemic. They specifically highlighted the critical work of doctors, nurses, and staff, calling them “superheroes” for their hard work and commitment to families across the country.
“March of Dimes is an indispensable resource for so many families across the country and we couldn’t be more thrilled to lend our support,” said Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East, members of the March of Dimes Celebrity Advocacy Council. “Having experienced our own loss, we know how important it is to not only have a strong network of support from family and friends but also resources and programs like those provided by March of Dimes. We want to shine a spotlight on the need for more research and action to address this health crisis.”
Shawn and Andrew document their life on their YouTube channel, “The East Family” and are the proud parents to their son, Jett, and daughter Drew. Drew is a rainbow baby – a baby born after a miscarriage or stillbirth.
“Shawn and Andrew have openly and honestly shared their journey to parenthood over the years and in doing so, connected with families across our country grappling with the same issues,” said Stacey D. Stewart, President and CEO of March of Dimes. “We are excited to welcome them to the Council and proud to work alongside them to ensure that families have the support and care they need today and for generations to come.”
The March of Dimes Celebrity Advocate Council features leaders from throughout the entertainment industry who are using their platforms to advocate for research, programs, and education so that every baby can have the best possible start. By raising awareness about the issues impacting moms and babies, the advocates help drive attention to areas where it’s needed. Shawn and Andrew join Ally Brooke, Allyson Felix, Jade Roper-Tolbert, Nick Lachey, Porsha Williams, Rob Huebel, Tatyana Ali, and Whitney Port as members of the Council.
About Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East
Together, athletes Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East have accomplished a lifetime of achievements. Shawn’s include her Olympic Medals for gymnastics, a New York Times best-selling book, several businesses, a career in broadcast, and television appearances including winning Dancing With The Stars; while Andrew is an accomplished NFL football player who most recently played with the Washington Football Team. Shawn and Andrew have documented their life on their shared Youtube channel, “The East Family” and podcast, “Couple Things” which has climbed to #2 on the overall charts. Andrew and Shawn are proud parents to their daughter Drew, who was a rainbow baby, and their son, Jett.
