"An estimated 14,387 babies were born prematurely in North Carolina in recent years; many of which did not survive their early birth. Although North Carolina has seen sustained improvement in its preterm birth rate, from 13.3% in 2009 to 12% last year, there is still much work to be done.
November 2014 will mark the 12th annual Prematurity Awareness Month (PAM). The goal of PAM is to lower the preterm birth rate nationwide to 9.6 percent of live births by 2020. Throughout the month, prominent buildings and landmarks across the nation and world will be lit in purple to honor all the babies born too soon, including the R.J. Reynolds Building in Winston-Salem. November 17 will be recognized around the globe as the fourth annual World Prematurity Day.
In 2012, nearly 120,000 babies were born in North Carolina and March of Dimes helped each and every one through research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs.
March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) to “lead, direct and unify” the fight against polio. In FDR’s day, polio was an epidemic disease that paralyzed or killed nearly 52,000 Americans, mostly children, annually. March of Dimes galvanized America to defeat polio and fulfilled FDR’s dream of a nation free of this fearful disease. It funded the development of the Salk vaccine which was licensed in 1955, as well as the Sabin vaccine which became available in 1962. Nearly all babies born today still receive a lifesaving polio vaccine.
In addition to the R.J. Reynolds Building, the Governor’s Mansion in Raleigh, The Duke Energy Building in Charlotte, the bridge at Mission Health in Asheville and Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort in Cherokee will also be lit purple in honor of North Carolina babies and families.
March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies®, March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter."
- A Press Release