Prematurity Awareness Day
They all started life in the same way: The world is full of celebrity preterm babies who have achieved great things despite their difficult start in life.
Soul legend Stevie Wonder is among them, his blindness a consequence of prematurity. Others include actors like Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Sarah Biasini (daughter of Romy Schneider), fashion designer Jil Sander and Sixties anti-establishment icon Uschi Obermaier. People like Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Annette von Droste-Hülshoff were all born prematurely. Today they all are celebrity representatives of the largest child patients' group. Around 400,000 babies, 10 per cent of all births, are born prematurely every year in Europe alone.
November 17 has been designated the 1st International Prematurity Awareness Day by EFCNI. The primary objective of this occasion is to raise awareness among the broad general public as well as to collect donations for the work of the Foundation.
If you would like to know how to participate in the next Prematurity Awareness Day, please contact your national partents'organisation or EFCNI.
First Prematurity Awareness Day in 2009
In 2009 November 17 became the official Prematurity Awareness Day and has been celebrated with a multitude of events around the globe. Representatives from the world of politics, showbusiness and industry throughout Europe have spoken publicly about preterm birth and thereby generated increased awareness for preterm infants.
Many acitvities were organised around the world, only to mention a few here:
Stars for preterm infants
A number of renowend persons play an active role in campaigning for preterm infants: in France, Jean Sarkozy, son of the current French President and a preterm infant himself, supported a charity dinner for the french parents' association SOSPréma.
Germany rallies round
All parents' associations and institutions for preterm infants were called upon to mark the day with special activities. For example, German news presenter Steffen Seibert, himself father of a preterm infant, officially opened the foyer of the Darmstadt Children's Clinic, custom-designed to fulfil the needs of parents and children. The Ulm parents' association for preterm children financed a specially equipped children's ambulance through donations. An exhibition of photographs by top photographer Walter Schels was organised at Hanover's Marktkirche.
Benefit gala and charity song
At a grand benefit gala held in Munich on November 12 to mark the first International Prematurity Awareness Day, Swedish star pianist Robert Wells, himself father of a preterm infant, enthraled the audience. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the exclusive charity song "Sing Me Another Song“, available for download on our website or directly at iTunes, Amazon and musicload.de from December 1, 2009. At the after-show party, guests experienced outstanding "open cooking" by celebrity chef Stefan Marquard.
Reception at the Bavarian representation in Brussels
On the occasion of the First International Prematurity Awareness Day, a reception at the Bavarian representation in Brussels took place. Main topic of the evening: Preterm infants - a challenge for Europe.
MEP Dr. Angelika Niebler welcomed representatives from the European parents' organisations, scientists and health professionals as well as political stakeholders.
Swedish musicians Robert Wells and Jacob Samuel entertained throughout the evening, the highlight being the presentation of the CaPaNi award, worth 100,000 USD to Dr. Mario Rüdiger at the Neonatology/Pediatric Intensive
Medicine department at the Carl Gustav Carus University Clinic in Dresden, where he and his team conduct research into preventive measures and
treatments against chronic disease.
Global attention
Activities and campaigns throughout Europe gave clear impetus for the situation of the smallest patients of all to move into the focus of social and political attention. The Danish Parents' Association organised a concert in Copenhagen with celebrity artists. In Portugal preterms had their own TV show. In Belgium information stands were set-up in clinics and gifts distributed to NICUs. Renowned US organisation March of Dimes launched the special idea of a website enabling donors to create personalised "virtual armbands" in the name of children they love.
Special Thanks
EFCNI thanks global healthcare company Abbott for its support in realising the first International Prematurity Awareness Day.
