Zeta Phi Beta Leads Prematurity Awareness Weekend
Sorority Supports March of Dimes Efforts to Save Babies from Premature Birth

BAY SHORE, NY, November 19, 2008 /24-7PressRelease/ -- November is Prematurity Awareness Month. Prematurity is the leading killer of America's newborns. Those who survive often have lifelong health problems, including cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lung disease, blindness, and hearing loss. Prematurity has been escalating steadily and alarmingly over the past two decades. In 2005, more than 525,000 infants were born prematurely, the highest number ever reported for the U.S. There were 29,883 preterm births in New York in 2005 -- representing 12.1% of live births (marchofdimes.com/peristats). Preterm delivery can happen to any pregnant woman. In about four out of every 10 cases, the causes are unknown. The March of Dimes has taken on this devastating problem - to find out what causes it and how it can be stopped.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign is a multimillion-dollar research, awareness and education campaign to help families have healthier babies. As a leading March of Dimes "community partner", Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was among the first organizations to raise awareness about the consequences of premature birth. "Zeta Prematurity Awareness Sunday" events have reached over 150,000 people in 2003, and have become an annual project with growing participation. Sorority members implemented "Zeta Prematurity Awareness Sunday" in communities across the country by joining congregational leaders during the weekends of November 8th & 9th and November 15th & 16th, 2008 through church bulletins, announcements and table displays.

Join the March of Dimes and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. in urging the new president, Congress, federal and state policy makers and the business and health care communities to move us forward in helping moms have healthy, full-term babies. You may also visit the March of Dimes Web site (www.marchofdimes.com/padpetition) during Prematurity Awareness Month, and sign the Petition for Preemies to help us make progress in preventing premature birth. Together we can find the causes of premature birth.

Press Release Contact Information:

Frances Lewis-Carr
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc
Public Relations
Post Office Box 1191
Bay Shore, NY
USA 11706
Voice: (631) 879-7132
Website: Visit Our Website