The March Of Dimes Announces New Five-Year Campaign To Raise Public Awareness, Reduce Rates Of Preterm Birth And Increase Research To Find The Cause
30-Jan-03 |
It’s supposed to take nine months for a baby to be born. But for reasons largely unknown, one in 11 babies in Oregon and Southwest Washington arrives too soon every day. Prematurity is the leading cause of death in the first month of life. Half of all babies who do survive suffer from lifelong health problems, such as mental retardation, blindness, chronic lung disease and cerebral palsy. Perhaps most startling is that the rate of premature births has increased 27 percent since 1981.
Despite these statistics, most Americans do not perceive premature birth to be either a common or serious problem.
Prematurity has always been an important target for the March of Dimes mission. But the alarming increase in premature births has prompted the March of Dimes to launch a new Prematurity Campaign. The campaign will raise awareness and, ultimately look for ways to reduce the occurrence of premature birth 15 percent by 2007. Over the next five years, the March of Dimes will invest $75 million in research and educational programs to fight this serious problem.
On January 30, birthday of March of Dimes founder President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the March of Dimes will officially launch the Prematurity Campaign. Reporters will have the opportunity to interview medical experts on the issues surrounding prematurity, hear more about the campaign, meet families affected by premature birth, and tour the Doernbecher Neonatal Care Center. |
 |
|
|
|
|
Donating is easy online, by phone or mail / fax.
|
|
|
