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Even the tiniest voices need a champion

Posted by Jaybetee • 10/13/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: bloggers unite, bloggersunite, fight for preemies, march of dimes

Every year, 20 million babies are born too soon, too small and very sick ― half a million of them in the United States. November 17 is when we fight.

Nov. 17 is the day that BloggerUnite and the March of Dimes are teaming up for the Fight for Preemies and asking bloggers to help raise awareness about this important issue.

Here are a couple of interetsting topics that bloggers could discuss and write about on that day:

• More than one million infants die each year because they are born too soon. Every year, an estimated 13 million babies worldwide are born prematurely — defined as birth at less than 37 full weeks of gestation. Ask your readers to support a March of Dimes event to promote awareness and raise funds for these infants.
www.marchofdimes.com/howtohelp/645.asp

• About one million deaths in the first month of life (28 percent of total newborn deaths) are attributed to preterm birth. Babies who survive a preterm birth risk serious lifelong health problems including cerebral palsy, blindness, hearing loss, learning disabilities, and other chronic conditions. Help us educate people on how to care for a premature baby and reduce the risk of complications.
www.marchofdimes.com/prematurity/21295_10699.asp

More suggested topics can be found at: www.blogcatalog.com/community/bloggersunite-fight-for-preemies/

and the event page itself is at: www.blogcatalog.com/community/bloggersunite-fight-for-preemies/

Do you have any suggestions for related topics? Any suggestions for actions bloggers could take on this day to raise awareness and make a difference? Any personal stories about this issue?

Please share!

User Comments

10/13/09

voodooKobra

My brother was born premature with cerebral palsy-- a fact that inconveniences him to this day (but does not hinder him).

However, I don't talk about deeply personal issues on Kobra's Corner, so I'm going to have to sit this round out.

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1. 10/13/09
  
  Jaybetee
  
  Well, I'm glad to hear it is not something that hinders him. Sorry to hear you're sitting this one out, but I understand the reasoning. Thanks for sharing.
10/13/09

clioandme

In some ways this is all about health insurance reform. We have the medical technology. But we have a horrible system for managing and financing care, unless you qualify for Medicaid or have a really great health insurance policy.

But that would make this a political topic, and that might not unite some bloggers. Course some might find a different angle than the one I just mentioned, even if they hate the idea of the US actually achieving universal health insurance coverage.

I won't be blogging, though, as I'm down to just niche blogs now, with no place for this kind of thing.

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10/13/09

Shiley

I would love to do this. I'm moving and in a crazy spot at the moment. Don't know whether I'm coming or going.

My oldest was born a month early with seizures. The seizures went away and he's fine but it was a very depressing time period.

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1. 10/13/09
  
  Jaybetee
  
  I am glad to hear he's doing OK. I can imagine how stressful that time must have been for you. If you have time, we'd love to have you share a post on the subject...best of luck with all of your moving!
2. 10/13/09
  
  Shiley
  
  Thank you. He is more thank ok. He is no longer medicated. He slept through 6 months of his life. It did teach me one thing though... All of the "help" the doctors prescribe you isn't necessary if you fight to help your child. The medication is though. My kid wasn't an extreme case. If we completely ignored it he would have been though.
10/13/09

Theresa111

What a brilliant idea to speak out for the tiny babes. Count me in Jaybetee.

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10/13/09

amybyrd21

do they have a badge of sorts to plave on your blog for donations straight to them?

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10/13/09

MissSuzie

My daughter was 2 1/2 months early and had problems for the first year of her life. Fortunately, she is completely healthy and quite the handful now. Nice idea!

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