November is prematurity awareness month, a local and national effort to raise awareness towards the leading cause of death for newborns.

     As part of our Prematurity Awareness month initiatives, the Nathan C. Splant Foundation will host the "Helping Hands for Preemies" Campaign throughout the month of November in honor of Prematurity Awareness Month.

     This campaign was developed to provide support and enhance our Preemie Care Package program.  The care packages are designed to meet the physical and emotional needs of parents of micro-preemie babies in the neo-natal intensive care units at local hospitals.

Prematurity Facts

• Every year 543,000 babies - one out of eight - are born prematurely
• Everyday 13 babies die due to complications from an early birth
• Prematurity is the leading cause of death among newborn babies
• Premature births (defined as birth before 37 completed week's gestation) are costly and is the leading cause of death in the first month of life.

     Thank you to the local business community (Avon, Classy Cuts - Lowell, Culver's - Schererville, Engine Room - Dyer, Providence Bank - Dyer, Spanky's Bar & Grill - Dyer and White Rhino - Dyer) for their participation.

     As part of our raising awareness efforts, the Foundation is also accepting applications for its "Grant Giving" Program to any person or family throughout Northwest Indiana (Lake and Porter County) and Cook County of Illinois facing a burden resulting from a premature birth (14 weeks gestation to 36 weeks gestation).  Applications and eligibility information is available on-line @ Grant Giving Program.

     Please consider making a donation and join us today to make a difference to those born too early and too small.