The March of Dimes, in conjunction with Bloggers Unite is asking bloggers to put a badge on your blog this month for Prematurity Awareness Month…

Do you know a baby that was born too soon, too small, unable to suck, unable to breathe on his own? Premature birth is a health crisis that jeopardizes the lives and health of nearly half-million babies each year. It is the #1 killer of newborns and can lead to lifelong disabilities. Worse: the number has increased 31 percent since 1981. It can happen without warning and for no known reason. Until we have more answers, anyone’s baby, could be born too soon.

Medical advances give even the tiniest babies a chance of survival, yet for many babies premature birth is still a life or death condition. It’s the #1 cause of death during the first month of life. And babies who survive face serious health challenges and risk lifelong disabilities.

The rate of premature birth has never been higher. In half the cases, we simply don’t understand what went wrong. We need to fight for answers. And, ultimately, preventions.

November 17 is dedicated to raising awareness of the crisis of premature birth. The March of Dimes invites bloggers to get involved.

A Time to Plant Collector Plate - March of Dimes 1989 US $9.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 12:33:36 PST   | Watch this Item

March of Dimes boy in breathing machine vintage photo US $20.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Thursday Mar-11-2010 8:34:19 PST   | Watch this Item