FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, February 20, 2004

March of Dimes National Director Presents Keynote Address at Prematurity Summit
The alarming increase of preterm births in Hawaii and strategies to reduce the incidence and impact of problems of prematurity on Hawaii’s families to be addressed.

WHAT: The Prematurity Summit kicks off a five-year, national campaign to raise awareness of the alarming growing incidence of preterm births.   The conference features expert speakers to address economic, social and other impacts of preterm birth, and discuss the next steps to be taken in Hawaii to prevent prematurity.

WHO: Dr. Scott Berns, National Director, March of Dimes
 Cheryl Prince, Department of Health
 Dr. Sherry Loo, Neonatologist , Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children
 Dr. Greigh Hirata, Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist, Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children
 A family affected by preterm birth

WHEN: February 24, 2004
 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children.  2nd Floor Auditorium
 1319 Punahou Street

The incidence of preterm birth in Hawaii has increased by an alarming 33 percent from 1992 to 2002. In an average week in Hawaii, 48 babies are born preterm or very preterm, 31 babies are born with a low or very low birthweight and three babies die before their first birthday.

VISUALS/INTERVIEWS: 
# A preterm birth child will celebrate her third birthday blowing out candles on her birthday cake.
# National Director Scott Berns, MD, as well as Sherry Loo, MD and Greigh Hirata, MD available for interviews at various times throughout the day on Feb. 24. CALL TO SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW.

# # # # #
CONTACTS: Starr Wedemeyer, Communications Pacific (Ph: 543-3551, Cell: 358-4658)
         Jennifer Bowers, Communications Pacific (Ph: 543-3512, Cell: 295-2758)