March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness Month and Prematurity Awareness Day December 16, 2009

National Prematurity Awareness Month & Prematurity Awareness Day on Nov. 17
Events all over Virginia
The March of Dimes has designated November as National Prematurity Awareness Month to let everyone know that premature birth is a crisis in our country and to bring people together to help give all babies their full 9 months. The March of Dimes is leading a national effort to save babies from premature birth by funding research to find the causes.

National Prematurity Awareness Day is November 17, 2009.

In the Virginia Chapter the following events are planned:

At Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, Parham Road, Richmond – Throughout November –
Educational displays will be presented around the hospital, highlighting prematurity awareness. Lisa Roday, our MOD NICU Family Support® Specialist, will present all NICU staffers with thank you notes and March of Dimes pins. Two professional education events will be held, one on Family-Centered Care and one on Total Body Cooling of Babies with Low Apgar Scores. Contact MOD NICU Family Support® Specialist Lisa Roday for event details at (804) 289-4732.

At Winchester Medical Center, 1840 Amherst St., Winchester – November 17 -
Sen. Jill Holtzman will host a press conference; MOD Volunteer June Hosaflook will announce the 2009 Premature Birth Report Card for Virginia. Local General Assembly members will be given a tour of the hospital’s NICU. Activities begin at 8:30 a.m. in hospital Conference Room.

At VCU Medical Center, 1200 E. Broad St., Richmond – November 17 -
Sen. Donald McEachin will host a press conference; former Ambassador Family, the Vaughn’s of Richmond, and Va. Chapter MOD Board President Chip Phillips will announce the 2009 Premature Birth Report Card for Virginia. Local General Assembly members will be given a tour of the hospital’s NICU. Activities begin at 8 a.m. in West Hospital 15th Floor, South Wing Lobby of NICU.

At Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters, Hampton Blvd., Norfolk - November 17 -Sen. Ralph Northam will host a press conference; VA Chapter Ambassador Family, the Patrick’s of Virginia Beach, and Greater Hampton Roads MOD Board President Eric Coble will announce the 2009 Premature Birth Report Card for Virginia. Local General Assembly members will be given a tour of the hospital’s NICU. Activities time & place TBA!

FOR FURTHER DETAILS, contact VA Chapter Director of Program Services Sara Long at (804)968-4120.



For further information about prematurity, visit www.marchofdimes.com/prematurity/

Official Website: http://www.marchofdimes.com/virginia/44304_59604.asp