Taking place today (17 November), World Prematurity Day aims to raise awareness of premature birth and the impact it has on families across the world.
The focus for World Prematurity Day 2017 is what prematurity is and what it means to each individual.
The charity Bliss is calling on healthcare professionals, parents, family members, researchers, campaigners, people who were born premature or know of someone who was, to share what prematurity means to them using the #PrematurityIs on social media.
Bliss has started off the campaign with their examples including #PrematurityIs more common than you think. More than one in 10 babies worldwide are born premature.
And #PrematurityIs costing lives. It is the leading cause of death in children under five around the world and here in the UK.
Bliss asks that they are tagged in any posts with @blisscharity.
Another way to get involved with World Prematurity Day 2017 is by taking part in a Bliss Little Lights Walk, which encourages as many people as possible to host walks or gatherings with lanterns, candles or even glow sticks to ‘light up the night’ for premature babies and their families.
For more information go to the Bliss website.
