WHAT:           Prematurity Awareness Day activities at Inova Fairfax Hospital.  Event will help the March of Dimes and Inova Fairfax Hospital bring awareness to the growing problem of premature birth in the Washington, D.C., area.

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WHEN:           Wednesday, November 15, 2006.

Luminarias will be lit at 5:45 p.m.  Program begins at 6:05 p.m.  Children’s activities begin at 6:10 p.m.  The Great Zuchini Comedy Show begins at 6:30 p.m.  Stars in Motion parade begins at 7:15 p.m.  Program ends at 8 p.m.  There will be play area for special-needs children.  The public is invited.

WHERE:         Inova Fairfax Hospital Physicians Conference Center, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Va.  Parking is available in the Blue garage next to the Women’s and Children’s wings.

VISUALS:       More than 100 pink and blue luminarias on the grounds of Inova Fairfax Hospital and conference center; family parade of “floats” decorated in pink and blue glow-in-the-dark stars; The Great Zuchini Comedy Show; remembrance ceremonies for children lost to prematurity.

WHY:              Prematurity is the leading cause of death in the first month of life and leads to lifelong health consequences such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, chronic lung disorders and hearing and vision loss for thousands of children each year.  Total annual hospital charges for premature babies exceed $18.1 billion.

WHO:             Children and families affected by premature birth.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects 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 multi-year campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at http://www.marchofdimes.com/ or its Spanish Web site at http://www.nacersano.org/.

Inova Health System is a not-for-profit health care system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services including emergency and urgent care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova's mission is to improve the health of the diverse community we serve through excellence in patient care, education and research.

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