| Splitting the state of Ohio with a rivalry stemming back to the 1970s, the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns had more in common this November than the AFC North and Paul Brown. Both of Ohio’s NFL teams made a commitment to help the March of Dimes raise awareness about premature birth- the number one killer of newborn babies. In honor of Prematurity Awareness month both the Browns and the Bengals agreed to alter their exterior lighting and illuminate their stadiums in pink and blue throughout the month of November. “Having buildings like Paul Brown Stadium and the Cleveland Browns Stadium lit in pink and blue symbolize the type of collective leadership in raising awareness about premature birth that we admire in Ohio”, says John Banchy, Executive Director of the March of Dimes Ohio Chapter.
The Browns return this November for their second year participating in the Prematurity lighting campaign, and the Bengals join the March of Dimes for their first year lighting up. Even Hamilton County, owner of Paul Brown Stadium, demonstrated their support and provided for all of the lighting adjustments and associated costs for the illumination. While both teams support the organization in many faucets throughout the year, this year they really hit hard in honor of Prematurity Awareness month. In late October the Lady Browns, wives of Cleveland Brown players, joined with the March of Dimes and focused their annual initiative to benefit the families with premature babies at the MetroHealth Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Cleveland, Oh. Within the fun-filled afternoon the Lady Browns and NICU families painted rocking chairs to be donated to the NICU and Browns players participated in MetroHealth’s own Daddy Boot Camp- an all male seminar in which expecting fathers can discuss concerns with regards to their new responsibilities, gain hands-on experience with newborn babies, and learn the tools of the trade from seasoned fathers.
During the Bengals Bash, held on the Friday of Prematurity Awareness Week, the Bengals partnered with Pampers on Fountain Square in Cincinnati to rally support for the upcoming home game while benefiting the March of Dimes. Bengals wives Jessica Hall, Khai Jones and Diane Livings joined the players to demonstrate support from the player’s wives and families. Both Jones and Livings spoke to the audience about their commitment to the March of Dimes. Fans were able to pose for a photo with their favorite players while volunteers holding buckets collected coins during the Bash to be donated to the March of Dimes.
Thirty-six other buildings throughout Ohio joined the Bengals and the Browns in the Ohio Prematurity lighting campaign including Fountain Square (Cincinnati), Toledo Children’s Hospital, Akron Children’s Hospital, Miranova Condos (Columbus), St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Boardman Hospital, Salem Community Center, Trinity East and West, Hawken Lower School (Cleveland), National City Bank (Dayton), Central State University, Kettering Medical Center, Miami Valley Hospital, Kettering Tower, West Gate Building (Toledo), Hylant Building (Toledo), UBS Toledo, March of Dimes Central Ohio and Miami Valley Offices, ProMedica Perrysburg, Baker Center (Ohio University), Nationwide Arena, all Sorority Houses and RPAC building (The Ohio State University).
Nationally, as part of the November observance, everyone was invited to share their baby’s unique story with others by visiting marchofdimes.com/everybaby. On this web site, an interactive map allows families and friends to connect through activities across the country, all to celebrate babies. Read others’ stories and join a community that honors the babies in your life.
The March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign 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 and Baby Talk magazines and Working Mother Media are national media sponsors. More than 50 professional and consumer organizations have become Prematurity Campaign alliance members, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Hospital Association and the American Public Health Association. Nationally, Prematurity Campaign sponsors include CIGNA, FedEx, Motherhood Maternity and the Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute; the national Prematurity Awareness Month supporter is First Response.
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.
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