Cincinnati, OH – November 2007 –   Premature birth is the #1 killer of newborns in this country and yet, it’s a subject many choose to leave in the dark. On Tuesday, November 13th from 7:00-8:00pm at Fountain Square, The March of Dimes will shine a light on this issue and honor local families touched by prematurity and the health care providers who’ve worked so hard to make a positive difference for so many. The Prematurity Awareness Vigil and Roll Call is a chance for the entire community to come together in support of giving every baby a healthy start.

         Each day in the United States, 1,367 babies are born preterm (before 37 weeks) and 218 are born very preterm (before 32 weeks). The results can be devastating and costly...and premature birth is a problem that can happen to anyone. One local mother, Paige Schuler, says she’s proof that you can do everything right and still give birth too soon. “I’m a nurse. I know too much! I knew when I experienced pains…I was terrified they would have to deliver me early. I never thought it could happen to me. I already had two healthy children from pregnancies with no complications. I did everything in my power to have a healthy pregnancy.” Doctors later discovered Schuler had a blood clotting factor that lead to her daughter, Grace, being born at 29-weeks into the pregnancy. Grace died after a valiant 5-week battle in the neonatal intensive care unit at Good Samaritan Hospital.

        At The Prematurity Awareness Vigil and Roll Call, families will hold lighted candles as the names of babies born prematurely are read. Health care professionals will also be recognized for dedicating their careers to the advancement of healthy outcomes for all newborns. In addition, families are invited to submit a picture of their premature child to be included in the slide show presentation. You do not have to be in attendance to have a child honored in the Prematurity Roll Call.

Who: Families, Health Care Providers, NICU Staff, Community

What: Prematurity Awareness Vigil and Roll Call

Why: To demonstrate that premature birth is an infant health crisis and to generate attention to the fact 
           that we need to find a way to prevent it                              

Where: Fountain Square, Downtown Cincinnati

When: Tuesday, November 13th, 2007 (7:00-8:00pm)

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.  For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at www.marchofdimes.com, and its Spanish Web site at www.nacersano.org.

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