Once again schools, companies and organizations throughout Maryland will be wearing jeans on Fridays throughout the month of November to help babies be born healthy. The timing of the campaign complements the worldwide effort to bring awareness to prematurity during the month of November, National Prematurity Awareness month. The month of awareness is highlighted by National Prematurity Awareness Day on November 17th.
To take part in the Blue Jeans for Babies Campaign, employees/members would make a donation to the March of Dimes in exchange for the opportunity to wear jeans at work on one Friday or all Fridays throughout November. Your local March of Dimes office will support the Campaign by providing posters, pins & stickers for those participating.
Participation in the Blue Jeans for Babies Campaign, makes a statement that your school, organization or company cares about local families and the health of all babies. Funds raised through Blue Jeans for Babies support March of Dimes research and programs that help all moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.
Each year in Maryland thousands of babies are born prematurely. Premature babies are at an increased risk for newborn health complications as well as an increased risk for lasting disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, learning and behavioral problems, cerebral palsy, lung problems and vision and hearing loss.
Premature birth is a costly health disparity. The average medical costs for a preterm baby are more than 10 times as high as they are for a healthy full-term baby. This figure does not even touch the emotional cost to families who welcome a baby into the world too early or to those who have a baby that doesn’t survive being born too soon.
During 2013, the Blue Jeans for Babies Campaign raised over $8,000 and helped support the March of Dimes mission to prevent premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality. The campaign funds local programs of education and prenatal care to help women have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies in our community. It also funds national programs, such as research, to improve the health of mothers and babies.
Schools, companies, and/or organizations interested in participating in the Blue Jeans for Babies Campaign should contact Sandra Sanna-Buckles, Suburban Maryland March of Dimes Community Director, at (571) 257-2324 or ssannabuckles@marchofdimes.org by October 23rd.
