The Fresno County Preterm Birth Initiative and the Fresno County Department of Public Health will host the third annual World Prematurity Day event from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 17, at the Cultural Arts District Park (1615 Fulton St.). The event, recognized globally every year on Nov. 17, will bring awareness to the issue of preterm birth, which affects one out of every nine babies in Fresno County each year. Activities for the free, family friendly event include a classic car show, food trucks, musical entertainment, raffle prizes, T-shirt giveaways and activities for children. Parents who have experienced preterm birth in their families will be among the speakers giving personal testimonials. Each participant at the event will receive a purple lamp, representing the color used to raise awareness of the preterm birth epidemic. Several landmarks in Fresno will be lit purple to commemorate World Prematurity Day, including the Shehadey Tower at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State. In the San Joaquin Valley, the leading cause of infant deaths is when babies are born before 37 weeks. The Preterm Birth Initiative’s goal is to reduce preterm birth rates from 11.1 percent to 7 percent by 2025. INFO: Sandra Flores or Olga Nunez at 559.228.2126 or visit www.ptbifresno.org.
