march for babies blog

Today is Prematurity Awareness Day®, and I really wish I had some happy news to report. We just released the second annual Premature Birth Report Card and America scored a depressing “D.” What that means is that every year, we’re failing more than half a million babies.

Each state received its own report card, by the way, and you can find your state’s grade here. No state earned an “A,” and Vermont was the only state that received a “B.” Even though seven states improved their grade, I’m sure you’ll agree we have a long way to go.

You can help in a big way today by blogging about premature birth. And update your Facebook and Twitter status with this message or a message of your own:

I’m fighting for preemies! Join me at http://bit.ly/1gfWUt #fight4preemies

It’s Prematurity Awareness Month, when everyone’s focused on premature birth and the families touched by it.

In our country alone, more than half a million babies are born too soon each year, some very sick. Maybe you had a premature baby yourself. Or you may know someone who did.

This November, do something special for a baby you love. Click over to marchofdimes.com/fightforpreemies and create a virtual band in honor or memory of a baby in your life. Your gift funds research and programs that give premature babies a fighting chance.

If you have a blog, help us spread the word. Unite with thousands of bloggers around the world and post about premature birth on November 17.

One in eight babies is born too soon in America. But what about the rest of the world? The March of Dimes just published the results of the first-ever study into the global problem of premature birth. And the news is disturbing:

• Every year, 13 million babies worldwide are born prematurely, and more than one million die because they are born too soon.

• Rates of premature birth are increasing everywhere ― in our country alone, the rate has gone up by 36 percent in the last 25 years.

There are more shocking stats, you can read them here. But there’s also good news to come out of this. The March of Dimes is meeting with world health leaders to create a plan for global action that will reduce the prematurity rate and give all babies a fighting chance.

Next month is Prematurity Awareness Month. Check back to find out what the March of Dimes doing. If you have a blog, unite with thousands of bloggers around the world and post about premature birth on November 17.

And visit the new site, marchofdimes.com/fightforpreemies for more ways to get involved!

This doesn’t need words. It’s why we all do what we do.

If this video moved you, add it to your blog, Facebook or Myspace page. And leave us your thoughts.