PLANNING PREMATURITY AWARENESS MONTH EVENTS
November, 2007 - Prematurity Awareness Month

November 13, 2007 - Prematurity Awareness Day

Together, we can raise awareness of premature birth and share hope for premature babies.

Because there has been a steady increase in the number of preterm births (before 37 completed weeks of a 40 week pregnancy) since the federal government began keeping those statistics, the March of Dimes launched the Prematurity Campaign in January, 2003. As we work to decrease the incidence of preterm birth, we have developed programs for professional education, support programs and education for pregnant women and families of preterm babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, increased funding of vital research into the causes and treatments of preterm labor and raised awareness of the general public.

Prematurity Campaign Goal: 60% of pregnant women and 50% of the general public identify preterm birth as a significant public health concern.

Early in the Prematurity Campaign we set aside Prematurity Awareness Day (November 13th, 2007) and named November as Prematurity Awareness Month. We have conducted a variety of events to educate the Maine public about the growing problem of preterm birth. We have developed a number of events to showcase the plight of premature birth. As you plan to support Preemie Project 1475, “I am Helping the March of Dimes Change This Preemie Diaper”, you may want to take a stronger stand and plan supporting activities to increase public recognition of this project. Possible activities include:
• Preemie Project 1475
• Moment of Hope
•  Prematurity Awareness Day/Month Proclamation,
• House of Worship Sunday
• Every Baby Has a Story
• Distribution of free March of Dimes prematurity brochures
• Take Action fundraising activities