Miami, Nov. 10, 2021 – Miami Dade College’s (MDC) National Historic Landmark Freedom Tower will be illuminated purple at sunset on Wednesday, Nov.17, for World Prematurity Awareness Month, to assist the March of Dimes in raising public awareness about premature birth. Prominent buildings and landmarks around the world will be lit in purple throughout the month of November.
This month, 33,000 babies are expected to be born premature, according to the March of Dimes. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. faced a maternal and infant health crisis and still remains among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth. This crisis is fueled by the health equity gap in the health care system that puts women and babies of color at the greatest risk.
Premature birth is the number one killer of children under the age of five. The March of Dimes and countries around the world ask everyone to help spread the word about the serious problem of premature birth. The day has grown to include millions of people in more than 100 countries.
The March of Dimes is a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality. Worldwide, 15 million babies are born preterm, and nearly one million die due to complications of an early birth. Babies who survive an early birth often face serious and lifelong health problems, including breathing problems, jaundice, vision loss, cerebral palsy and intellectual delays. For more information, visit www.marchofdimes.org.
WHAT: MDC to Illuminate Freedom Tower Purple for World Prematurity Awareness Month
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 17, at sunset
WHERE: Freedom Tower, 600 Biscayne Blvd.