World Prematurity Day 2013

Summary of activities For World Prematurity Day, country activities ranged from national events organized by governmental organizations to parent group activities conducted in local hospitals. In some cities, landmarks and buildings were lit up in purple to honour preterm babies and their parents. Parent groups also took action in many countries by organizing march events and workshops or even just raising awareness with posters at local hospitals. National governments and Ministries of Health in high burden countries engaged in awareness activities. Global events were held in New York and Geneva with UN country missions and other partners and linked to the Every Newborn action plan initiative. This document provides a list of different country activities, including local media coverage and photos if available. If you have any general questions, would like more information, or would like to add details about a country, please contact Mary Kinney at mkinney@savechildren.org.

Afghanistan .....................................................................................................................................4

Australia .........................................................................................................................................4

Austria ............................................................................................................................................5

Bangladesh .....................................................................................................................................5

Belgium...........................................................................................................................................5

Brazil..............................................................................................................................................5

Bulgaria...........................................................................................................................................6

Canada ............................................................................................................................................6

Chile ...............................................................................................................................................7

China ..............................................................................................................................................7

Croatia ............................................................................................................................................7

Cyprus.............................................................................................................................................8

Czech Republic ................................................................................................................................8

Denmark .........................................................................................................................................8

Estonia ............................................................................................................................................8

Ethiopia ..........................................................................................................................................9

Finland ............................................................................................................................................9

France .............................................................................................................................................9

Georgia ......................................................................................................................................... 10

Germany ....................................................................................................................................... 10

Ghana ........................................................................................................................................... 13

Greece .......................................................................................................................................... 13

Guinea .......................................................................................................................................... 13

Hungary ........................................................................................................................................ 13

Ireland .......................................................................................................................................... 14

Indonesia ...................................................................................................................................... 14

Israel ............................................................................................................................................. 14

Italy .............................................................................................................................................. 14

Kenya ............................................................................................................................................ 16

Latvia ............................................................................................................................................ 16

Lithuania ....................................................................................................................................... 16

Macedonia / Serbia ....................................................................................................................... 17

Malaysia ....................................................................................................................................... 17

Malawi .......................................................................................................................................... 17

Mexico .......................................................................................................................................... 18

Netherlands .................................................................................................................................. 18

Nicaragua...................................................................................................................................... 19

Nigeria .......................................................................................................................................... 19

Pakistan ........................................................................................................................................ 20

Poland .......................................................................................................................................... 20

Portugal ........................................................................................................................................ 21

Romania ....................................................................................................................................... 21

Russia ........................................................................................................................................... 22

Serbia ........................................................................................................................................... 22

Singapore ...................................................................................................................................... 23

Slovakia ........................................................................................................................................ 23

Slovenia ........................................................................................................................................ 23

South Africa .................................................................................................................................. 23

Spain ............................................................................................................................................. 24

Sweden ......................................................................................................................................... 25

Switzerland ................................................................................................................................... 26

Tanzania ....................................................................................................................................... 26

Taiwan .......................................................................................................................................... 27

Turkey........................................................................................................................................... 27

Uganda ......................................................................................................................................... 27

United Kingdom ............................................................................................................................ 28

United States ................................................................................................................................ 28

Uruguay ........................................................................................................................................ 29

International /Transnational ......................................................................................................... 30

Afghanistan Event Ministry of Health and Population and other health partners with support of UNICEF celebrated the World Prematurity Day on 17 Nov, 2013 in Malalai Maternity Hospital by participation of 70 health providers from 4 maternity hospitals, Reproductive Health director had opening welcome to the participants and Afghanistan and global facts and interventions related to prematurity presented and then participants visited neonatal ward of the hospital and interviews are done with the mothers and health providers. One copy of local and global facts related to prematurity handed over to H.E. Minister Dr. Suraya Dalil. Social media https://www.facebook.com/afghanistanunicef?ref=hl

Credit UNICEF/Afghanistan/2013/Mahdy Mehraeen Australia Miracle Babies The Miracle Babies Foundation is calling everyone in Australia to get involved for World Prematurity Day 2013 on their WPD website www.worldprematurityday.org.au. They explain to everyone who wants to engage how they can support this special day easily by putting up a socks line. In their online gallery, you can see where socks lines have already been hung up to raise awareness about prematurity.

National Premmie Foundation The National Premmie Founation in Australia will run the ‘Light It Up Purple’ campaign for World Prematurity Day. Anyone can join by wearing purple and purchasing a National Premmie Foundation candle and lighting it in their own home at 7pm on November 17th 2013. On their World Prematurity Day Facebook page, you find all information how to get involved. Watch their video on youtube and see which building in Australia will be lit up in purple! #LightItUpPurple

Austria - Eine Handvoll Lebe, the Austrian parent organization, organised a meeting for preterm babies and their families for World Prematurity Day at November 16. Bangladesh Media Preterm birth causes 45% newborn deaths: Survey Social media - Twitter relay participation: Dr Arefin, Deputy Director, SNL, Save the Children to lead a discussion on twitter about prematurity – challenges and solutions in Bangladesh Belgium Opleiding Vroedkunde KAHO Sint Lieven The “Bachelor in de Vroedkunde” (“Bachelor of Midwifery”) students and staff at the KAHO Sint-Lieven of the St. Nicholas Hospital are collecting babies’ socks to raise awareness of the topic for. They want to exhibit 5837 socks at November 17 for World Prematurity Day to represent the 5837 Flemish babies born premature in 2012. VVOC (Vlaamse Vereniging voor Ouders van Couveusekinderen) Belgium parent organisation VVOC organises a Family Day for families of premature babies in Herselt, Belgium. Families of premature babies between 0-12 years of age can enjoy a fun afternoon and meet in the indoor playground “De Snepkens” to celebrate World Prematurity Day on November 17. To find out more and take part, go to their website to register please. CHU St Pierre The NIDCAP Training Center (CHU St Pierre) in Brussels will have activities going on throughout the whole of November 17 for World Prematurity Day. There will be videos on prematurity and NIDCAP approach will be broadcast in all waiting and public rooms of our Hospital. Panels with information on prematurity, outcomes and parents associations will be placed at the main entrance to the establishment.

Brazil Prematuridade.com is Brazil's first internet hub dedicated to inform and support the families of preterm babies. They are calling people to take part in what they are calling #NovembroRoxo, meaning “Purple November". They are asking families to wear purple on the big day (17th), to take pictures and submit them to Prematuridade.com, so that they can make a great panel of supporters.

More than just wearing purple, the goal is to make people aware of the increasing number of premature births and the impact they have on the baby, on the families and on society. It is also time to discuss the quality of the treatment preemies have been receiving here and how humane it has been. Furthermore, during the whole month they will be releasing important information about prematurity prevention and statistics about it in Brazil. For your infomation, they will be using these channels to do such actions:

• Prematuridade.com • facebook.com/prematuridade • twitter.com/_prematuridade • pinterest.com/prematuridade

They will also be using these hashtags: #DiaMundialdaPrematuridade, #WorldPrematurityDay, #WPD and #NovembroRoxo.

Bulgaria Our Premature Children For World Prematurity Day and SOCKS FOR LIFE “Our Premature Children” are holding a “baby socks drawing contest”. The drawings will have to include a baby sock (or more than one). The aim is to attract as many participants as possible to draw baby socks. Schools and institutions working with children are asked to participate but everyone is welcome to take part in the competition. For a selection of the artwork already submitted go to the Our premature children – Facebook fanpage. Prices for the winners include a coffee machine, a photo session and a school bag with school supplies. Further, illuminations in purple are planned for World Prematurity Day on the November 17 as well.

Alliance of Bulgarian midwives The Alliance of Bulgarian midwives ask Bulgarians to change their Facebook cover picture to show support for preterm babies and their families at November 17 for World Prematurity Day.

Canada Canadian Premature Babies Foundation-Fondation pour Bébés Prématurés The "Canadian Premature Babies Foundation-Fondation pour Bébés Prématurés" (CPBF/FBPC) acts as a shar point of World Prematurity Day activities in Canada. For World Prematurity Day, families and NICU/ICN staff across many Canadian provinces plan awareness raising events and several landmarks will be illuminated in purple across Canada. For example, the Niagara Falls will be illuminated in purple on World Prematurity Day on November 17 to honour all babies born prematurely. Another Ontario landmark, the CN Tower in Toronto will

be lit up again, organised by NICU Parent Partner and Family Members of Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. There will be also be a vigil held at the CN tower at sundown on November 17. The beautiful Muttart Conservatory Pyramids in the City of Edmonton are going to be illuminated in purple on November 17 as well as the Langevin Bridge and Riverwalk in Calgary. Find out more about World Prematurity Day activities taking place in Canada here.

Chile ASPREM PREMATUROS ASPREM is calling all families to participate in a family walk. Wearing a green T-shirt on November 23rd families will show their support for preterm infants. Celebrities, such as Luis Jara, a Chilean singer and actor or Mauricio Pinilla, a famous Chilean professional footballer and father of a preterm baby, support the parent organisation ASPREM and their campaign “ponte la camiseta por los prematuros”.

China Home for Premature Babies The Chinese parent organisation is going to celebrate World Prematurity Day.

Croatia Klub roditelja nedonoscadi "Palcici" Klub roditelja nedonoscadi "Palcici" will celebrate World Prematurity Day in seven Croatian cities: Zagreb, Split, Osijek, Dubrovnik, Cakovec, Pula and Rijeka. They are planning a variety of activities in each Croatian city to promote awareness for preterm born children and their families. As part of their celebrations they will launch their first Croatian book about premature babies in partnership with Mosaic books. Parents have contributed with sending in pictures of socks lines all over the beautiful places of Croatia.

Cyprus Association of Friends of the NICU – Incubator Love This year, the socks will come out again on the streets in Nicosia! The Association of Friends of the NICU participate in the SOCKS FOR LIFE Action for World Prematurity Day: the giant socks are ready to be placed at various places in the capital – if you find one, why don’t you take a picture and put it on facebook!

Czech Republic BabyKangaroos (BabyKlokanci) For World Prematurity Day, they put up a virtural awarness raising event on Facebook to inform general public about their activities. People could join this event by sharing the invitation among friends, sending donation short text messages or participating in collections for maternity hospitals. Parents were encouraged to share photos, videos or stories of their preemies. In return, every “participating baby” received a “before-and-now” photo presentation. BabyKlokánci also made video. Nedoklubko There was a mass taking place for preterm infants and their families at November 17 in Jihlava. Denmark Dansk Præmatur Forening For World Prematuriy Day, the Dansk Præmatur Forening’s activity was named "Til de sma minder", which means "For the small things to remember". Neonatal departments all over Denmark received a package of fold-yourself boxes to give to families. While the children are in the hospital, the boxes can be used to store all the small things and loose ends like footprints, notes, cards, diaries etc. When the families come home, they can add the small socks, first bodystocking, pacifiers and papers. The precious memories are saved for when the children get older. Nothing gets lost or forgotten. Included in the package was a thank you to all the personnel who help our families when the children are born prematurely. Estonia Wellmark Health OÜ They started the week on November 12, when there was an opening ceremony of the sculpture „Mother and child“ in the Tallinn Childrens Hospital. Sculptor Tauno Kangro donated the bronze statue to the hospital.On November 15 a conference „The impact of prematurity to the child, family and society“ was held in Tallinn. It was joint conference of the Estonian Paediatric Society and premature infants' parents. Approximately 400 participants took part. On November 17, there was charity concert in Kaarli Church, Tallinn. Performers were popular Estonian artists. The whole ticket revenue went to charity to support premature children and their families. The church was decorated with purple light inside and outside. All these events and charity activities organized by Wellmark Health OÜ. Wellmark is a health marketing agency in Estonia and cooperates with patients, professionals, charity funds and supporters

Ethiopia Events/Activities Media outlet Audience Date “Tenawo Bebetwo” Live Television Health Show on Ethiopian Television. Professor Bogale, a renowned pediatrician from Addis Ababa University, took part in the Show.

Ethiopian Television

87% coverage of 94.1 millions

24 Nov 2013

“Hello Doctor” Live Television Health Show on Oromiffa Television. Dr. Girma Bekele, a pediatrician from Addis Ababa University, took part in the Show.

Oromia Television

7o % coverage of 94.1 millions

17 Nov 2013

Radio spots (public service announcements) on prematurity on Radio Fana /Fana Broadcasting Corporation-FBC/

Fana Broadcasting Corporate

55-65 millions 13-17 Nov 2013

Radio spots (public service announcements) on National Service of Radio Ethiopia

Radio Ethiopia 96 % coverage of 94.1 millions

13-17 Nov 2013

Arrange interviews for Health Unit Head (Dr. Berhanu Demeke) with two radio stations (Fana Broadcasting Corporate and Sheger FM)

Sheger FM Fana Broadcasting Corporate

Ten millions 55-65 millions

18 Nov 2013 15 Nov 2013

Issued a press release which was carried by Afro FM and The Daily Monitor

The Daily Monitor Afro FM

10,000 readers (minimum) 500,000 listeners (minimum)

18 Nov 18 15 Nov 2013

Finland Keskosvanhempien yhdistys Kevyt Kevyt is organising a brunch for the preterm families and neonatal nurses for World Prematurity Day in Helsinki. The event is organised together with "The Finnish Society of Neonatal Nurses" and they are expecting to have around 80 participants. During the brunch there will be a lecture on the preterm infants’ motoric development and info sessions on both associations. During the event there will be a nomination of "Finland’s preemie influencer of the year" and Kevyt will launch their new logo. There will be other World Prematurity Day events organised around the country and HopLop, an inside playground company, is offering a 50 % discount for the entrance fee for preemies. In Jyväskylä the local Preemie association is offering coffee for the families currently in the local hospital and for the nurses.

France SOS Préma The French parent organisation SOS Préma will organise an awareness day later in December. They also participated together with EFCNI at the “Newborn Health - a challenge for Europe” conference at the European Parliament.

Georgia Association of Neonatologists of Georgia World Prematurity Day was celebrated November 17 at the Neonatal Conference in Tbilisi. The conference was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Tbilisi State Medical University, and the Healthcare Professional League on the topic of prematurity. The conference called the Georgian Parliament to tackle prematurity due to its vast outcomes, not only medical but also social and economic. Germany Alb Fils Kliniken For World Prematurity Day at November 17, they offer a seminar on how to take care of a preterm infant. Bundesverband "Das frühgeborene Kind" e.V. The Bundesverband "Das frühgeborene Kind" e.V. will have World Prematurity Day celebrations take place at November 17 in Berlin at the Atrium des Kongresszentrums Reinhardtstraßenhöfe. Carl-von-Basedow-Klinikum Saalekreis The hospital in Merseburg invites preterm infants and their families to join a reunion for World Prematurity Day on November 17. Freundes- und Förderkreis Klinikum Ernst von Bergmann e.V. The children’s hospital „Ernst von Bergmann“ in Potsdam, next to Germany’s capital city, invites all interested to join on Sunday afternoon, 17 November, to get to know more about preterm birth. Next to a photo exhibition, four art objects in will be exhibited within the context of the campaign SOCKSFORLIFE. A short movie about the development of a preterm infant will be shown. Delicious cakes are offered – the returns will be donated for the preemies in hospital. Universitätsklinikum Essen The Children's Clinic of the University Hospital Essen is organising a SOCKS FOR LIFE art exhibition alongside the der Stiftung Universitätsmedizin (Foundation University Medical Center) for World Prematurity Day. Former premature babies and their families created art around the topic of socks. The exhibition will run from November 15 to 22 at the Town Hall of Essen.

Perinatalzentrum der Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin des Städtischen Klinikums Dessau For World Prematurity Day, the clinic is organising an information event around preterm children. There will be guided tours as well as informative talks talking place at November 17. Klinikum Saarbrücken For the third time, the hospital Saarbrücken invites for World Prematurity Day all families of preterm babies who were born in the past five years at the hospital to come together to exchange ideas and celebrate this special day. Nursing staff and parent are meeting regularly once a month to talk in a discussion circle. Parents will be informed about their work while the little ones can have fun with a balloon artist. Verein für Frühgeborene und kranke Neugeborene Schwarzwald-Baar Ballon release and meeting for preterm infants and their families at November 17 for World Prematurity Day. “Das Frühchen e.V. Heidelberg“ German parent organisation “Das Frühchen e.V. Heidelberg“ is going to celebrate World Prematurity Day at November 17 at the Heidelberg Castle (“Heidelberger Schloss”). There is going to be a press reception with talks on the situation of preterm infants in the NICU, later on in school and in adult life. The speeches will be followed by the opening of a photo exhibition and the presentation of SOCKS FOR LIFE artworks. There will be music and a children’s programme as well as the purple lightening of the castle by nightfall.

Klinikum Karlsruhe, die Initiative Frühchentreff Karlsruhe e.V. and Kindertagesstätte „Klinikzwerge“ For World Prematurity Day there will be a lantern procession taking place, followed by an autumn bonfire in front of the children’s hospital at November 13. They want to raise awareness and give preterm children a voice.

Harl.e.kin - Nachsorge für früh- und risikogeborene Kinder The “Extrachor“ Hemau will have a benefit concert taking place at World Prematurity Day on November 17. The concert will take place at the Chapel of the Klinik St. Hedwig (hospital St.Hedwig) in Regensburg and all

donations will be given to Harl.e.kin, an organisation incorporating follow-up care for preterm and risk-prone infants.

Förderverein Frühstarter Datteln e.V., Perinatalzentrum Datteln, die Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik & St. Vincenz-Krankenhaus Datteln In Datteln the consortium of Förderverein Frühstarter Datteln e.V., Perinatalzentrum Datteln, die Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik and St. Vincenz-Krankenhaus Datteln is organising a SOCKS FOR LIFE exhibition for World Prematurity Day. From the 13 November onwards there will be a photo exhibition of preterm infants wearing little socks. The pictures have been taken by Tanja Seine, a nurse and photo designer. Some of them will be available to be bought as post cards during Christmas time. Further, an artwork by artist Rolf Jahn will be exhibited.

Kinderklinik Dritter Orden, Passau The children’s hospital Dritter Orden in Passau is going to celebrate World Prematurity Day with a meeting of preterm babies‘ parents and a Christmas market at November 17. They encourage parents to bring along tiny socks of their children to create a SOCKS FOR LIFE artwork.

Traglinge e.V. Traglinge e.V. invite everyone to a colourful family afternoon with hands-on musical entertainment at November 17 for World Prematurity Day.

Ghana LittleBigSouls LittleBigSouls, the international not-for-profit organisation incorporated in the UK and Africa, is organising their LittleBigSouls Annual Awareness Walk for Preemies on Saturday, 16th November 2013 flagging off from Cleaver House through principal streets of Accra. This year’s theme is “Walk for Love to Save a Life”, and everyone is invited to join the walk towards World Prematurity Day in honour of the one million premature babies who die every year.

Greece Ilitominon The Greek organisation Ilitominon is asking everybody in Greece to give their voice for preterm babies and their families on www.enemenemini.eu. Guinea LittleBigSouls LittleBigSouls celebreated World Prematurity Day with NICU Connect with their partners AMC Guinea. They would also like to thank the Ministry of Health, Guinea.

Hungary KORE There is a photo contest taking place to promote the organisation and the upcoming World Prematurity Day. Furthermore, there will be a lecture series taking place nationwide on the topics of prematurity and its prevention. A nationwide media campaign is planned to shed light on the topic and raise awareness. At November 17, there will be a daylong event taking place in Szeged which is organised by KORE and the Szeged Newborn Lifesaving Service, where there will be lectures, panels and presentations given.

Ireland Irish Premature Babies For World Prematurity Day they will be holding a number of designated coffee mornings throughout the country that people can pop along to. The coffee mornings can take place on Friday the 15th, Saturday the 16th, Sunday the 17th or Monday.The charity will forward you a pack with the usual tea/coffee and some extra goodies that they know previous hosters of the coffee morning have loved.

National Neonatal Transport Programme Committee To mark the programme being about to be extended to a 24/7 there will be a Breakfast Conference on November 15 to celebrate the launch of the 24 Hour Neonatal Ambulance Service in Dublin. The event coincides with World Prematurity Day. The meeting is being opened by Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald. Indonesia Twitter relay and social media Israel LAHAV – For The Premature Babies in Israel The Israeli parent organisation launched a national media-campaign for World Prematurity Day Italy Vivere Onlus There will be a symposium "Prematurità: prevenzione, cura, famiglie" takting place for World Prematurity Day in Firenze at November 19. Furthermore, there are many activities taking place upfront WPD, such as a SOCKS FOR LIFE competition and awareness raising activities. Also, the Palazzo Loggia in Brescia is illuminated in purple for World Prematurity Day.

Piccino Picciò Onlus The parent organisation is going to light up purple the Fountain of Neptune in Piazza della Signoria – Florence for World Prematurity Day at November 17. They are also hosting an SOCKS FOR LIFE photography exhibition as well as knitting and collecting tiny socks.

Il coraggio di vivere - ONLUS For World Prematurity Day, the organisation is handing out little packages to parents in the NICU which contain little socks in Mantua.

ERACLE The association for neonatology presented an awareness campaign about prematurity at a press conference on November 11 in Reggio Calabria. For World Prematurity Day there are more activities planned, for example an information both in the city about prematurity as well as a local media campaign. There will be an art exhibition taking place about preterm children as well as an auction whose proceedings will be donated.

Associazione Lilliput Ass. Lilliput is going to have a conference about prematurity for World Prematurity Day at November 16 in Lissone.

Nati per Crescere For World Prematurity Day they are organising a charity concert at November 17 in Vittoria.

Amici Neonatologia Trentina For World Prematurity Day they are organising a flash mob in Trento at November 16. Frühgeborene Südtirol The parent organisation in Southern Tyrol are planning again many activities for parents and children on November 17. This year’s theme is “Sometimes the biggest wonders are pretty small”. Beginning is Sunday morning at the hospital Bolzano. They are also supporting the SOCKS FOR LIFE campaign and motivate all parents to give their vote for preemies. Media Vatican Radio (from Italy) filed a piece. (They did an interview with Dr. McCabe of the MoD)

Kenya Media AllAfrica.com - regional media that serves Africa countries. http://allafrica.com/view/resource/main/main/id/00071721.html Director of Save the Children Kenya, Duncan Harvey, talks on pre-term babies in Africa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDVUnb97Xio Night news did feature piece on preterm births in Kenya Social media https://twitter.com/EA_Savechildren https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-the-Children-East-Africa-Region/1426969824182689

Latvia In Latvia, 17 November will be celebrated with some events and activities in Riga:

• A musical worship service at the Riga Dome Cathedral; A prayer for preterm babies, parents and clinicians. • Performances by the Latvian National Opera soloist Evita Zalite, with Kristine Adamaite on the organ, Artis

Simanis on the saxophone, and the Schola Cantorum Riga (Gregorian singing) • A photo exhibition “I Was Born Prematurely” at the Riga Birthing Centre. You can download the brochure in

English here. The photography is by Juris Beikmanis • Raising of the World Prematurity Day flag at the Paediatric Clinical University Hospital on the morning of

November 17. Last year, the flag was raised for the first time. It reminds people of preterm babies every year.

Photography by Juris Beikmanis Lithuania Neišnešiotukas The Lithuanian parent organisation Neišnešiotukas motivated all parents to join their campaign “knit thumbelina!” and knit socks for preterm babies. In Vilnius at the theatre, on November 17, the organisation invites to a celebration with a theatre play and the traditional balloon flight for preterm babies. Kaunas city hall in Lithuania goes purple for World prematurity day

•

Macedonia / Serbia Lulka / Little Giants (Mali Div - Udruzenje roditelja prevremeno rodjene dece Srbije) In Belgrade, World Prematurity Day will be celebrated with the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra! On Friday, 22 November, the Philharmonic Orchestra dedicates a concert of the series “On the heels” to preterm babies and helps to raise public awareness about preterm birth.

Malaysia To get details

Malawi Event The principal secretary of the Ministry of Health kicked off the event followed by a UNICEF representative who spoke on behalf of all the partners – over 150 people attended the event. A family with two premature babies talked about the value of KMC in helping their babies survive the early days of life. There was also entertainment. Prior to the event, officials visited Bwaila Hospital to talk to officials about how prematurity is the leading cause of newborn deaths in Malawi. Media attended and links will be provided.

Mexico Con Amor Vencerás Con Amor Vencerás invites the public to take part in the photography contest for World Prematurity Day. Participants will be able to share their view about premature birth as well as help to raise awareness about the topic of prematurity. The best pictures will be shown on November 14. Furthermore Con Amor Vencerás will take part with "Volando por los prematuros" at the “El Festival Internacional del Globo en León” from the 15 – 18 November. There will also be a World Prematurity Day event take place at November 17 at Mexico City.

Asociación Mexicana para padres de niños prematuros A.C. Pequeño NuNu The Mexican organisation “Pequeño NuNu” releases butterflies in honour of all preterm babies that had to leave before their time.

Hospital Felipe G Dobarganes, San Miguel Allende The hospital is taking part in World Prematurity Day celebrations for November 17.

Netherlands Kleine Kanjers The Dutch organisation had illustrator Anke van der Meer design their World Prematurity Day poster. They were sending the poster to Dutch hospitals to put up for November 17. Furthermore, they were holding a competition on their Facebook page at November 17, where participants had the chance to win of three Kleine Kanjers World Prematurity Day posters. Amphia-ziekenhuis in Breda The hospital in Breda celebrated World Prematurity Day with SOCKS FOR LIFE Sophia Nidcap Training Centrum

The Sophia Nidcap Training Centrum celebrated World Prematurity Day in Rotterdam. There were cupcakes for the parents and presents for the children. Furthermore, there was a cello concert and a free photoshoot for preterm children and their families. Nicaragua Red Nicaragüense de la Prematuridad The parent support group Red Nicaragüense de la Prematuridad launched its Facebook support page days leading up to WPD and shared information with the Nicaraguan online community about the risks of preterm labor, neonates and the risks they face, and the importance to raising awareness of premature babies and their families in developing countries in order to improve survival and demising lifetime disabilities. Nigeria Events - Press Conference with the Director, Family Health Department, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja - Community visitation in Jahi2 community and Daki Biyu Community-FCT, Abuja, Nigeria - LittleBigSouls organized that the National Primary Health Agency building in Nigeria lit up purple for World Prematurity Day! LittleBigSouls thanks the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria. Outreach Pre Commemoration Day of World Prematurity Day with SMS Messaging sent out to 100,000 mobile numbers of top officials from the National Primary Healthcare, Federal Ministry of Health Directors, Regulatory bodies, Professional Associations, Partners, CSO’s, Stakeholders, Media houses and the general public The aim and objective of the Bulk SMS was basically to increase awareness on the importance of Skin-to-Skin contact-of Kangaroo Care is extremely effective in helping babies born too soon survive and get healthy. Media Radio Talk with Wazobia FM 99.5 hosted Save the Children Nigeria’s Newborn Adviser, Dr. Manuel Oyinbo, and other Newborn Health experts from the Federal Ministry of Health, Silver Lining for the needy initiative and other experts as they sensitized the public about Preterm babies and their high chances of survival reaching 18 million listeners. https://www.wetransfer.com/downloads/a0bdabfabc406154fe9ddd839f7a32f920131120132920/4d82c4bc5dbdc6316f28ac61555d7d3820131120132920/c5bae2 http://premiumtimesng.com/news/149802-kangaroo-mother-care-saved-premature-twins-mother.html http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/daily/old/index.php/news-news/54494-nigeria-second-worst-country-for-first-birthday http://premiumtimesng.com/news/149802-kangaroo-mother-care-saved-premature-twins-mother.html Links to the press briefing video: http://youtu.be/xsLXE3m71jk http://youtu.be/9L08SUtmDIE http://youtu.be/crfG3DvuIXc http://youtu.be/Dvh8Xugd_S0 http://youtu.be/ThDlvInO1yA Social media Twitter relay https://twitter.com/savechildrenNG #Worldprematurityday #BorntooSoon

Pakistan Event: Presentation on Evidence based interventions to reduce neonatal mortality in Pakistan at the NUST University, Islamabad with over 200 participants and lead by the Ministry of National Health services with support from Save the Children, USAID and WHO. UNICEF sent following letters to leading TV channels encouraging them to brand the World Prematurity Day and produce special programmes. Channels include PTV, geo, Express, dawn news, Dunya and Sama. Media coverage: Associated Press of Pakistan: http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=250051&Itemid=2 Social Media coverage: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=668781966475377&set=a.191248050895440.40948.169948489692063&type=1&theater Twitter: https://twitter.com/UNICEF_Pakistan Poland Fundacja Wczeniak Rodzice-Rodzicom The Polish parent organisation is organising a variety of events for World Prematurity Day. There will be an illumination in purple taking place at November 17. They also encouraged hospitals to take part in their celebrations by putting up socks lines to symbolise the one baby in ten who are born prematurely. They also act as a share-point of activities for World Prematurity Day by Polish parents and will showcase them on their website and facebook page.

Fundacja Świadomi Rodzice The support group for parents of premterm infants is organising a get-together at November 15 for World Prematurity Day at the Górnoslaskim Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka.

Neonatologii i Intensywnej Terapii Noworodka WSSz, Pirogowa w Lodzi The Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care WSSz, Pirogow in Lodz is taking part in the World Prematurity Day celebrations by hanging up sock lines.

Szpital sw. Zofii The Zofii hospital in Warsaw is celebrating World Prematurity Day by hanging up socks lines. The hospital will also be lit in purble on November 17.

Portugal XXS Associação Portuguesa de Apoio ao Bebé Prematuro The parent organisation XXS will organise something very special for World Prematurity Day – on 17 November you will hear about it! Pais Prematuros Pais Prematuros organized a celebration on Thursday, 14 November together with the NICU of the hospital centre of the Algarve on. A second feast will be held on November 17 in the Church of St. Louis. Interesting presentations, music and food will be available. Pais Prematuros will distribute all sponsored food and hygienic articles for preterm babies that participants can donor to families who are in need of Christmas gifts.

Romania One and One & Micolino On November 14, starting at 11.00, the Association "One and One" and Micolino organize an event aimed at bringing parent, prospective parents, health professionals, NGOs , online media , print , television , bloggers , artists in a less formal setting ( cafe The Institute) together and give them the opportunity to celebrate, both, the official launch of the association , and the announcement of SOCKS FOR LIFE to raise awareness about preterm birth and its consequences.

Russia "Vladmama" supported by the Health Department of Primorsky Krai Vladivostok became the first Russian city to celebrate World Prematurity Day in 2009. They have continued celebrating it ever since each year in November. Bryansk Oblast Children's Hospital The hospital celebrated Word Prematurity Day on November 15 by having a balloon release with preterm infants and their families. “Little Miracles“ There was a round table taking place about premature infants, their care, care problematic and continuing care. Obstetricians, neonatologists, pediatricians and parents took part in the discussion at the Scientific Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology Academy VI Kulakov at November 16. They also had take place a telephone conference with perinatal centers in Kursk, Ekaterinburg, Surgut and other cities. They celebrated World Prematurity Day afterwards with music, refreshments and entertainment. The day ended with a balloon release.

Serbia Mali Div - dece rodjene udruženje prevremeno roditelja Srbije In preparation for World Prematuriy Day, they launched the book ”Born too soon - the diary of fear and hope” by Olivera Zivaljevic at the Belgrade International Book Fair, at the end of October. All funds from the selling of the book will be donated to the parent organisation “Mali Div”. On November the 17, many preterm children and their families put up sock lines in their homes, dressed in purple and raised awareness about the importance of World Prematurity Day. Furthermore, members of “Mali Div” knitted small socks and donated them to the hospitals in Novi Sad and Uzice. On top of the middle part of the Serbian Parliament, and the bridges in Belgrade and Novi Sad were lit purple during the night of November 17. On November 22, the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra dedicated their concert to the “Mali Div” as part of the World Prematurity Day celebrations to raise awareness about the issue of prematurity. This year, “Mali Div” has celebrated World Prematurity Day together with the local preterm infants parents association of Novi Sad “Optimistik” Udruzenje roditelja prevremeno rodjene dece Optimistik The parent organisation lit up purple the Varadinska Duga Bridge crossing the river Danube in Novi Sad, Serbia for World Prematurity Day November 17. Institut za neonatologiju, Beograd The institute for neonatology in Beograd is putting up sock lines for World Prematurity Day.

Singapore The Cozy Project They organised a World Prematurity Day event with facepaint booth and many other fun activities for preterm children and their families at Changi City Point. They were raising funds for the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital Health Endowment Fund – Preemie Fund, and the money is going towards helping the babies and their families to better cope with the weight of the hospital bills. The Singapore Flyer in Singapore also lit up in purple on November 17.

Slovakia Nasmalicek Obcianske združenie malícek The Slovakian parent organisation organised a World Prematurity Day event in Bratislava, where engaged people won a “Purple heart award”. A press conference took place as well. Also, Bratislava castle shone purple for all children born too soon, for their parents and for the people with big open hearts, assisting them.

Slovenia Parents in Slovenia are celebrating World Prematurity Day and SOCKS FOR LIFE with hanging up socks all over the country. Many people have joined and knitted socks for the most little ones in Slovenia.

South Africa

- Pelonomi Neonatal Department (Free State) printed T Shirts for World Prematurity day. Light purple with the words "World Prematurity day" printed on the shirt. - Cape Town Grootte Schuur Hospital: the Newborns Trust is launching their new LITTLE by LITTLE fundraising campaign in November which is aimed at raising funds to expand their Neonatal Unit at GSH.'Wear Purple for Preemies Day initiative'. This will be a well publicised media campaign which will encourage people to donate R10 to the Newborns Trust and wear Purple and a LITTLE by LITTLE sticker on Friday 15th November. Grootte Schuur Hospital was lite purple on World Prematurity Day. www.newborns.org.za - The Universitus Hospital in Bloemfontein held an event and information disseminated through a newsletter. LittleBigSouls This year LittleBigSouls celebrated World Prematurity Day in partnership with Dora Nginze Hospital in Port Elizabeth, one of the biggest capacity Government hospitals in South Africa responsible for the care and management of pre-term and sick babies and mothers within their Neonatal Unit. The choice of Dora Nginze is particularly important as LittleBigSouls in its mission commends the Hospital for the hard work of the team of neonatologists led by Dr Khan, nurses and clinicians at Dora Nginze Hospital within the Neonatal Intensive Unit. Their efforts provide an inspiring example of what could be achieved in other hospitals across the continent particularly in their medical interventions such as CPAP on the continent and the provision of practical Kangaroo Care support to Mothers and Babies affected by Preterm Birth.

Spain AVAPREM For World Prematurity Day the Spanish organisation AVAPREM is raising awareness for prematurity and the challenges of families with a variety of events in the region of Valencia: November 4 - 8: prematurity awareness events every morning at El Hospital Universitario La Fe de Valencia in Valencia.

• November 11 and 12: prematurity awareness events every morning at El Hospital General de Alicante in Alicante November 14: symposium about prematurity at the Castellón University General Hospital in Castellón free of charge.

• November 17: Celebration of World Prematurity Day in four hospitals • November 19: colloquium on prematurity at El Hospital General de Alicante in Alicante • November 21: participation of AVAPREM at a roundtable of the Spanish Pediatrics Society to talk about the

newly founded “federacion nacional de asociaciones de prematuros” (FNAP)

APREM APREM is going to celebrate World Prematurity Day at November 17 at the San Carlos Clinical Hospital in Madrid. You find out more here. The celebration is for premature children and their families, this year there will also be an award ceremony for the “Patuco de Honor”. There will also be games for children and a magician.

Prematura Prematura invites everyone who is interested to join the celebration for World Prematurity Day at San Juan de Dios Hospital in Barcelona on 15 November 2013. Experts are invited to talk about critical aspects affecting families of preterm infants and a roundtable for parents will be organised. At Vall d’Hebron Hospital whole 17 November will be an action day for families of preterm infants: crafts, clowns and storytelling for children. Presentations will be given and snacks served for the families.

Sweden Svenska Prematurförbundet Did you know that in Sweden 6,500 children a year are born prematurely? On November 18 the Swedish parent organisation Prematurförbundet will hold a great afternoon seminar on preterm children's conditions in Sweden.

Prematurforeningen Mirakel For World Prematurity Day the parent organisation is going to bring treats to the NICU in Göteborg. Switzerland Event South Africa and the United Kingdom, together with UNICEF, The World Health Organization (WHO), The Partnership for Maternal Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH), UNFPA and Save The Children co-hosted an event which brought together more 50 participants to discuss the actions needed by all stakeholders to prevent and care for babies born too soon. It also provided an overview of the Every Newborn action plan for missions and other stakeholders in Geneva. More information available http://www.everynewborn.org/partners-address-issues-of-newborn-health-on-World-Prematurity-Day/

Swiss Prematurity Network The Swiss parent support group, Swiss Prematurity Network, asked its members to raise awareness by talking to friends and sharing information about World Prematurity Day and its significance, as well as to participate by displaying a sockline on their apartment windows. With the support of the group, the NICU at the Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG) gave the current families with neonates a total of 50 white roses, and to the nurses 50 pink roses to show support and appreciation. Tanzania Media Covered Stories:

• Majira 18th November, 2013 (Headline: Premature baby boys at high risk of death) • Majira 18th November, 2013 (Photo of KMC) • Sunday 17th November, 2013 (Headline: Number of premature babies alarmingly high) • Daily news. 18th November, 2013 (Headline: World marks prematurity day) • Mwananchi. 17th November,2013 (Headline: World Prematurity Day marked in Dar)

Media Links: • http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/24804-number-of-premature-babies-alarmingly-

high

• http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/24831-world-marks-prematurity-day

Social media (face book) records • https://www.facebook.com/pages/Everyone-Campaign-Tanzania/164522497087251

Press Release viewed by 25 people, photo 1 viewed by 21 people and photo 2 viewed by 21 people as well.

Taiwan The Premature Baby Foundation of Taiwan had a Big event in Taiwan Taipei 101 building Turkey El Bebek Gül Bebek Parent organisation El Bebek Gül Bebek lights up buildings in Turkey. The Bosphorus Bridge,that connects Asia and Europe lit in purple at November 16 and 17 in honor preterm babies for World Prematurity Day.

Uganda The Stakeholder Dialogue on ‘Improving Survival for Babies Born Too Soon with Proven Approaches to Care’. was organized by Ministry of Health with support from UNICEF, WHO, University Research Council, CIDI, National Newborn Steering Committee, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Coalition, USAID. The event included testimony from mother of preterm baby who practiced Kangaroo Mother Care and commitments from various stakeholders towards improving survival of newborns, particularly preterm babies, including the Parliamentary forum on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health that committed to lobbying for the inclusion of health as a human right in the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and to include advocacy for the survival of preterms, saying that they had never paid attention to preterms and their contribution to neonatal mortality. The WPD fell before the scheduled launch of the ‘A Promise Renewed’ by the Government (26th November), therefore the commemoration of the WPD was seen as a pre-event leading to the ‘A Promise Renewed’ launch. The key stakeholder dialogue, which was the main event for commemorating World Prematurity Day 2013 in Uganda, was preceded by a number of activities, which are listed below: Press conference at the Ministry of Health. Talk show on local television station on prematurity. Media visits to hospitals that Save the Children is partnering with to improve care for preterm babies, i.e. Mulago Referral Hospital, Nsambya Hospital and Kiwoko Hospital. Advertorial in two leading daily newspapers (The New Vision and The Daily Monitor). Social media engagement (Facebook and Twitter). Media http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/649615-high-blood-pressure-pushing-up-premature-births.html

United Kingdom Bliss Bliss celebrates World Prematurity Day this year under the theme “Give a hug”. The story behind is that many parents of preterm babies can’t hug their baby for days or even weeks. Parents can send in their picture with this theme, let it be a picture of the first hug or kangaroo mother care – there is even a digital camera to win. On Sunday 17th, the London Little Lights Walk will take place to raise awareness for the most little ones. Bliss will also participate in the global twitter chat and invites all parents to join with #GiveAHug.

United States Events A discussion on the prevention and care of preterm births took place at the UN Headquarters on Friday, 15 November. The event was cohosted by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations and USAID. It specifically presented links between the Every Newborn action plan and Every Woman Every Child, garnering support for the global movement for newborns. This event was also be screened live on UN Web TV and will include participation from GAPPS , March of Dimes, World Vision, UNICEF and the UN Foundation. HRH Princess Sarah Zeid of Jordan , an advocate for maternal and newborn health took part in the event and the audience heard from the experiences of a family affected by prematurity.

Washington, DC: A technical symposium took place in the SC office in DC on Tuesday, 19 November. It was co-hosted by USAID/MCHIP, the SNL program and CORE Group. The symposium brought together over 150 participants in person and online, and was designed to engage members of the RMNCH community to discuss strategies for strengthening country programs for the prevention of preterm birth and the care of babies born too soon. Discussion focused on what the international community can do to improve the effective delivery of technical interventions. The March of Dimes

At World Prematurity Day, the March of Dimes raise awareness about premature birth by inviting fans, families and volunteers to send their friends a "virtual hug" through Facebook and other social media sites to show that they care about premature babies. The "Hugs" campaign dramatises the benefits of Kangaroo care, when parents cuddle their premature baby skin-to-skin. Also on November 17, the Empire State Building in New York City will be shining in purple light to symbolise hope for a healthy start for more babies. TO ADD OTHER EVENTS Uruguay AUPAPREM This year, AUPAPREM, the parent organisation in Uruguay joins the celebrations for World Prematurity day. They mobilize hospitals to hang up socks lines in their departments and families of these little fighters to hand in little socks telling their name, week of gestation of birth and weight of birth.

International /Transnational EFCNI As a kick-off start for World Prematurity Day 2013, “Newborn Health - a challenge for Europe”, a conference at the European Parliament, brought together panelists from a variety of national and professional backgrounds. Patient representatives, health experts, academics from different Member States and WHO met at the table to discuss the impact maternal and newborn health has on Europe’s aging societies. At the same time, they showed possible ways how Member States could meet these challenges together. We warmly thank all speakers for their inspiration and strong messages. We were particularly proud that the Bulgarian and French parents groups came as speakers to the event.

Nacer Temprano-VIVIR EN GRANDE Nacer Temprano-VIVIR EN GRANDE is a project that seeks to improve the quality of life for preterm children and their families in Mexico and Latin America. They act as a share-point for transnational activities for World Prematurity Day in Latin America. You can access a list of Latin American participants here.

The NIDCAP Federation International For World Prematurity Day on November 17, the NIDCAP Federation International (NFI) would like to recognizes the incredible NIDCAP care that is happening all around the world. In tribute to the families, nursery staffs and hospitals that provide ever more sensitive and nurturing care, they created a NFI 2013 World Prematurity Day poster for sharing and posting.