Franklin D. Roosevelt (left) and lifelong friend and political advisor,
Basil O’Connor counting dimes sent in to the White House for the
March of Dimes, 1944. O’Connor helped establish the foundation.         

   

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, an adult victim of polio, established the
National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, which he later renamed
the March of Dimes Foundation, on January 3, 1938. A predominantly childhood disease in the early 20th century, polio wreaked havoc
among American children every summer. The virus, which affects
the central nervous system, flourished in contaminated food and
water and was easily transmitted. Those who survived the disease usually suffered from debilitating paralysis into their adult lives. In
1921, at the relatively advanced age of 39, Roosevelt contracted
polio and lost the use of his legs. With the help of the media, his
Secret Service and careful event planning, Roosevelt managed to
keep his disease out of the public eye, yet his personal experience inspired in him an empathy with the handicapped and prompted him
to the found the March of Dimes.

Paul Douglas Westphal (November 30, 1950 – January 2, 2021)

The Phoenix Suns announced today, Paul Westphal, a revered Hall
of Fame guard and former NBA champion, has died. He had been
reportedly diagnosed with brain cancer last summer.

Phyllis Jean McGuire was born on February 14, 1931 in Middletown, Ohio.

Phyllis McGuire, the last surviving member of the 1950s singing
group The McGuire Sisters, has died at age 89. A cause of death
was not provided. The singer, who led the trio, died in Las Vegas
on Tuesday, December 29th.

Christine McGuire, Phyllis McGuire and Dorothy McGuire circa 1997.