Around the world hundreds of societies, associations, professionals and individuals will mark the 4^th annual World Prematurity Day on November 17^th.  In honour of the 68 premature births per day in Australia alone, Life’s Little Treasures Foundation and Medela have released an infographic and an album with 68 real stories and confronting images that raise awareness of the courage, trauma and life changing experiences of families who have encountered premature births.

Life’s Little Treasures Foundation, Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation supporting premature and sick babies and Medela, who support mothers and healthcare professionals to provide all premature babies with human milk for as long as possible, expect the album to draw global awareness around WORLD PREMATURITY DAY on November 17^th. The campaign featuring families Australia wide, will highlight the issue that effects around 15 million babies annually* (World Health Organisation, Born Too Soon Report, 2012) and is thought to be responsible for the deaths of over 1 Million infants.

“In Australia around 8% of babies are born premature, that is before 37 completed weeks gestation, this puts an incredible strain on families, physically, emotionally and financially. World Prematurity Day is a chance for everyone to learn more about the causes and implications of premature birth, it’s so much more than just having a small baby. In fact some premature birth children have lifelong complications and disabilities from their early arrival”

Amanda Stephenson, Life’s Little Treasures Foundation

Landmarks across the globe will turn purple on the night of November 17^th and the public can also get involved by lighting a purple candle and using social media hash tag #worldprematurityday.

The official album featuring 68 real stories and images will be live on Monday on www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au

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ABOUT

Life’s Little Treasures Foundation is Australia’s leading charity dedicated to providing information, support and understanding to the parents of babies born premature or sick and admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or Special Care Nursery ward.

The foundation was born in 2005 when a group of parents of premature babies decided to do something about the lack of support available to people in their situation. Life’s Little Treasures Foundation want to ensure that no family endures the traumatic and life changing experience of having a premature of sick baby without easy access to critical information and community support to help them through their journey. For further information about Life’s Little Treasures Foundation visit www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au.

Medela support mothers and healthcare professionals to provide all premature babies with human milk for as long as possible, with more than 50 years of experience in breastfeeding products,. Through its extensive range of breast pump products and breastfeeding products Medela provides real solutions for breastfeeding mothers to get over any hurdles in the early days and to support their long term breastfeeding goals. For further information about Medela visit www.medela.com.au