November is the March of Dimes National Prematurity Awareness Month and ANNA’S Preemie, manufacturer of preemie clothing, (www.annaspreemie.com) and the March of Dimes in Colorado Springs (http://www.marchofdimes.com/Colorado/) are spreading the word about prematurity and its devastating effects.  Most people do not know that one out of every eight babies is born prematurely in Colorado.  Nationally, nearly half a million babies are born prematurely every year, costing billions of dollars in health care.  Prematurity is a leading cause of newborn death, and those infants who do survive often face a lifetime of chronic medical conditions such as lasting hearing and vision loss, chronic lung disease, and various forms of mental disability..

   Now through November 17, 2007, ANNA’S Preemie and the March of Dimes hope to bring Colorado Springs a glimpse of the plight of premature infants by collecting preemie-specific items from members of the community and promoting National Prematurity Awareness Month.  Items most sought are handcrafted booties, hats and shirts. 

   The first McCharity Event was such a huge success, collecting more than 600 items for the babies, that ANNA’S Preemie was requested to make this an annual event.  ANNA’S Preemie hopes the Second Annual McCharity Drive brings the community closer to understanding that premature birth is a serious concern, with some born so small they must fight for their lives. In nearly half of these cases, no one knows why.

 The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. ANNA’S Preemie hopes that people learn that while the causes of prematurity are still being researched, there is still so much our community can do to support those families living with premature babies.

 New and gently used preemie items can be dropped off at the following locations:

  March of Dimes - 421 S. Tejon, Suite 311, Colorado Springs

  Ronald McDonald House - 311 North Logan, Colorado Springs

  Penrose Community Hospital Birth Center – 3205 N. Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs

  All Dolled Up – 3450 West Carefree Circle, Colorado Springs

  Additional locations forthcoming

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If you’d like more information about this topic, or wish to schedule an interview with Linda Dague, please call Amy Pringle  at 719-244-7000 or email  at annas@annaspreemie.com

To contact the March of Dimes, please call Shona Fleming at 719-473-9981

ANNA'S, LLC

1670 F East Cheyenne Mt. Blvd. Suite 289

Colorado Springs, CO 80906-4050

719.244.7000 / Toll Free 888.266.2770