Every parent wants a healthy baby. But it doesn’t always happen that way. Each year, more than half a million babies are born too soon. Their lungs aren’t ready and their brains aren’t ready for them to be born.
We need to change this. November is Prematurity Awareness Month®. It’s when the March of Dimes focuses the nation’s attention on the impact premature birth has on babies and families.
1st row – Donna and Dave Batelaan 2nd row – Irma Tybuszynski and Jim Rothman 3rd row – Tony Manganello and March of Dimes Executive Director Shanna St John
Prematurity is the leading cause of newborn death in the United States. Even babies born just a few weeks too soon can face serious health challenges and are at risk for lifelong disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, lung problems, vision and hearing loss, and learning disabilities.
Each year, approximately 2,306 babies in Palm Beach County suffer the consequences of being born too soon. Awareness is the first step to solving this problem.
In Palm Beach County, the March of Dimes is asking supporters to wear purple on November 17 in observance of Prematurity Awareness Day®.
Visit marchofdimes.com/fight or call your local March of Dimes office at 561-684-0102 to learn more about Prematurity Awareness Month and how you can help.
We need to fight, because babies shouldn’t have to.
On behalf of our babies,
Irma Tybuszynski, Board President
Palm Beach Division
March of Dimes