(Lafayette, IN, October 28, 2005) -- The March of Dimes has designated November as Prematurity Awareness Month - to send the alert that premature birth is a crisis in our country and to bring people together to help give all babies their 9 months.  (http://www.marchofdimes.com/indiana/6185_15859.asp)

Babies are in crisis today. Nearly half a million are born prematurely every year and the number is rising. Across Indiana the March of Dimes is organizing events raise awareness as part of its national effort to save babies from premature birth by funding research to find the causes and by supporting local programs that offer hope and help to families with a baby in intensive care.

Premature birth is the number one killer of newborns and a major cause of serious health problems. It costs society billions of dollars every year. Here in Indiana, more than 10,600 babies are born prematurely each year, about 1 in 8.  Activities across the Sagamore Division of Indiana include:

• Nov. 13th— 5:30 - 6:30pm - Prematurity Candlelight Roll-Call at Riehle Plaza & Bridge.  Must call for details - 448-6641, no charge, sponsored  by GLHS
• Nov. 16th—8am - 12:30pm - Health Professionals Symposium at Kathryn Weil Center - Charge of $35. Must pre-register.
• All Month—Pink & Blue Jeans for Babies - Company leader Regions Bank with 200 participants
• Pink & Blue Lights - Wabash National Corp.
• Pink & Blue Ribbons - Downtown Lafayette and Riehle Plaza.
• All WalkAmerica team captains will receive pink and blue ribbons to display at work or home.  Ribbons donated by Alley Flowers.
• March of Dimes Volunteers to help with the NICU 30th Birthday Party, to be held at Columbia Park.  300 or more expected.

For more information contact Ann Skadberg at the Sagamore Division of the March of Dimes Indiana Chapter at 1-800-244-9255 and visit marchofdimes.com and find out what you can do for pink and blue to help prevent premature birth. You can send a message of hope for premature babies by wearing pink and blue, raising awareness with wristbands, car magnets and ribbons, sending e-mails and letters, and supporting research. Visit marchofdimes.com to help give all babies their 9 months during November – Prematurity Awareness Month – and any time of year.

The March of Dimes Prematurity has been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.  American Baby magazine and Working Mother Media are national media sponsors.  More than 46 professional and consumer organizations have become Campaign alliance members, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Hospital Association and the American Public Health Association.

The national Prematurity Campaign Sponsors are CIGNA and FedEx, and Prematurity Awareness Month Sponsors are First Response and Arm & Hammer Oral Care.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org.