Nov. 26, 2008

CONTACT:
Communications Department
(320) 251-2700, ext. 74980

St. Cloud Hospital lights up pink and blue for Prematurity Awareness week

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – One in eight babies in the United States is born prematurely, many with
life-long complications. According to the March of Dimes Web site, these numbers have increased 35 percent since 1981.

In recognition of Prematurity Awareness week, St. Cloud Hospital will light up the front of the hospital in pink and blue Nov. 24-28.

In an effort to raise awareness of premature births, St. Cloud Hospital is partnering with March of Dimes NICU Family Support to draw attention to this serious problem throughout November.

St. Cloud Hospital has the only March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program site in Minnesota. The program addresses the needs of families of premature or critically ill newborns throughout their hospital stay, during the transition from NICU to home, and in the event of a child’s death. This project is funded by the March of Dimes and CentraCare Health Foundation.

“Having the March of Dimes Family Support Program at St. Cloud Hospital offers our patients and families the support of other families experiencing a similar situation,” said Diane Pelant, R.N., C.C.R.N., clinical director of the Children’s Center at St. Cloud Hospital.

“They also receive information and comfort during their infant’s hospitalization and transition home. The staff benefits through ongoing professional development from the March of Dimes, which allows us to continue providing the high quality, patient-and family-centered care that we are so proud of,” Pelant said.

Learn more about the Children's Center at St. Cloud Hospital

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