Events & activities 2016-2023

This year’s World Prematurity Day global motto is “A parent’s embrace: a powerful therapy. Enable skin-to-skin contact from the moment of birth“. The claim was spread worldwide and more than 170  parent- and patient organisations, as well as medical societies and further supporting organisations, have joined forces to raise awareness for preterm birth and the benefits of Infant- and family-centred developmental care.  Practices such as Kangaroo Mother Care and skin-to-skin contact from the very beginning of a preterm born baby’s life have a tremendous effect on health outcomes and need to be promoted in neonatal care.

We would like to thank the World Prematurity Day Coordinating Committee for their planning efforts and their contributions.

A selection of World Prematurity Day activities in 2022

In preparation for World Prematurity Day and to deepen the globale motto, the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation (CPBF), the Brazilian parent organisation Prematuridade, and  EFCNI organised a joint Live Q&A session on the benefits of Kangaroo Mother Care and its implementation in clinical settings with two proven KMC experts. A recording of the session is available via the button below.

View more

On the occasion of World Prematurity Day,  the WHO launched their new recommendations for the care of preterm and low birth weight infants. This webinar provided a rich panel discussion featuring country speakers and global partners speaking about the new recommendations, including our very own chairwoman, Silke Mader, who had the great opportunity to shed more light on the situation of parents.

View more

For a comprehensive overview of the large variety of events hosted and celebrated by parent organisations, hospitals, medical societies, corporate supporters and individuals, on behalf of World Prematurity Day, please consult the overview of events and click on the button below. Please note that the compilation of events is an ongoing process and your event might not be listed yet.

Global activities #WPD2022

This year’s World Prematurity Day global motto is “Zero Separation. Act now! Keep parents and babies born too soon together”. The claim was spread worldwide and more than 170  parent- and patient organisations, as well as medical societies and further supporting organisations, have joined forces to raise awareness for preterm birth and the impact the pandemic has on neonatal care.

We would like to thank the World Prematurity Day Coordinating Committee for their planning efforts and their contributions.

A selection of World Prematurity Day activities in 2021

© Ana Tablas / Unsplash

Our Commentary in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, “Zero separation: infant and family-centred developmental care in times of COVID-19” was published on the occasion of World Prematurity Day. We call for a holistic approach to infant- and family-centred developmental care and the implementation of a zero separation policy to keep parents and their babies together.

View more

On the occasion of World Prematurity Day,  the #newborntoolkit for small and sick newborn care,  developed under the lead of Nest360 and Unicef and supported by EFCNI and GLANCE, was successfully launched in a live webinar. We are proud to have contributed to this important project that works toward improving our vulnerable, hospitalised infants’ health.

View more

View more

For a comprehensive overview of the large variety of events hosted and celebrated by parent organisations, hospitals, medical societies, corporate supporters and individuals, on behalf of World Prematurity Day, please consult the overview of events and click on the button below.

Global activities WPD2021

For the fourth time, we,  in collaboration with the global World Prematurity Day Coordinating Committee, developed a global theme: “World Prematurity Day 2020: Together for babies born too soon – Caring for the future”. The claim was spread worldwide and more than 140  parent- and patient organisations, as well as medical societies and further supporting organisations, have joined forces to raise awareness for preterm birth.

We would like to thank the World Prematurity Day Coordinating Committee for their planning efforts and their contributions. The World Prematurity Day Coordinating Committee includes the following organisations in alphabetical order: EFCNI, including the EFCNI Parent Advisory Board, GLANCE; Jhpiego; LittleBigSouls; March of Dimes; National Premmie Foundation; Prematuridade; Project Concern International (PCI); Save the Children; UNICEF; USAID; White Ribbon Alliance; WHO; World Vision

Warm thanks to everyone for sharing all these wonderful activities for World Prematurity Day 2020 with us. We highly appreciate each and every contribution that raises awareness and helps us work towards quality care for all babies born preterm. Here, we present a selection of worldwide events – the list will be continously updated until the end of the year.

The European Standards of Care for Newborn Health are available in Italian Today also marked the day that the first Italian translations of the European Standards of Care for Newborn Health (ESCNH) were published on the ESCNH project website. Translating the Standards into different languages is integral to raising awareness and educating people as to why their implementation is so necessary for advancing care and treatment of preterm and ill newborn babies across Europe. Thank you to the Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN) and Vivere ONLUS, the Italian National Coordination of Parents’ Associations, for their help in bringing this translation about.

View more

A message of support, hope, and gratitude – the EFCNI photo challenge To raise awareness for preterm birth and to send out a message of hope and gratitude to all parents of preemies and to our powerful and supportive global network of parent organizations, we launched the How it started – How it’s going photo challenge. Parents and adults born preterm shared their story, each of them so special and heartwarming.

View more

Silke Mader as speaker at the Global Health Lecture of LSHTM-Charité “Preterm births in a COVID19 world”

©LSHTM

On  World Prematurity Day EFCNI chairwoman Silke Mader gave a presentation at the Global Health Lecture of LSHTM-Charité – a lecture focusing on the effects of COVID19 on deliveries and neonatal health worldwide.

View more

For the third time, we,  in collaboration with the global World Prematurity Day Coordinating Committee, developed a global theme: “Born too soon: Providing the right care, at the right time, in the right place”. The claim was spread worldwide and more than 140  parent- and patient organisations, as well as medical societies and further supporting organisations, have joined forces to raise awareness for preterm birth.

We would like to thank the World Prematurity Day Coordinating Committee for their advice and contributions. The World Prematurity Day Coordinating Committee includes the following organisations in alphabetical order: EFCNI; Jhpiego; LittleBigSouls; March of Dimes; Prematuridade; Project Concern International (PCI); Save the Children; UNICEF; USAID; White Ribbon Alliance; World Vision

Warm thanks to everyone for sharing all these wonderful activities for World Prematurity Day 2019 with us. We highly appreciate each and every contribution that raises awareness and helps us work towards quality care for all babies born preterm. Here, we present a selection of worldwide events – the list will be continously updated until the end of the year.

Launch of new project website GLANCE On the occasion of World Prematurity Day we launched  our new website for EFCNI’s latest project, GLANCE – the Global Alliance for Newborn Care. Check out the new website on www.glance-network.org to learn more about  this project.

Launch of the Global Call to Action for Newborn Care On the occasion of World Prematurity Day, GLANCE published the Global Call to Action for Newborn Care. In 8 demands, Glance calls for significant improvements in newborn and maternal care across the world. The Call to Action was kindly supported by around 150 medical societies and around 50 parent- and patient organisations. All information about the Call to Action on our new website: https://www.glance-network.org/activities/call-to-action/ The Call to Action is available for download in 22 languages https://www.glance-network.org/res…/call-to-action-material/

Launch of the ROP campaign The awareness campaign for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) “The world is bright, save our babies’ sight“ ROP is one of the leading causes of childhood blindness – Provide the right care, at the right time, in the right place!” was launched on World Prematurity Day,  to put the focus on proper care for preterm babies in order to save their eyesight. It was supported by our corporate partner Novartis and the medical societies COINN, ESPR, Euretina and UENPS as well as several parent and patient organisations.

In cooperation with our global World Prematurity Day advocacy group, we developed a global theme for the second time: This year “Working together: Partnering with families in the care of small and sick newborns” was the claim we spread worldwide. It was our common goal to raise awareness for the importance of care for preterm babies and their families provided by healthcare professionals, including parents as partners.  Care encompasses doctors, nurses, mothers, fathers, babies, and other family members as a unit, from pre-pregnancy through labour, delivery, as well as treatment and care of the child. Please find the global advocacy toolkit, more information about the global motto and further materials here.

Special thanks go to the Healthy Newborn Network, Save the Children, Every Woman Every Child, Every Preemie—SCALE, the more than 50 parent organisations  and medical societies, who supported the global theme.

Warm thanks to everyone for sharing all these wonderful activities for World Prematurity Day 2018 with us. We present you here below a selection of worldwide events. 

In cooperation with a group of global organisations, we developed the global theme “Let them thrive!” We highlighted the value of respectful care for preterm babies and their families provided by healthcare professionals and thanked them for their work. Respectful care encompasses mothers, babies, and families as a unit, from pre-pregnancy through labour, delivery, as well as treatment and care of the child. Please find the global advocacy toolkit, more information about the global motto and further materials here.

The World Health Organization (WHO), the Healthy Newborn Network, Save the Children, Every Woman Every Child, Every Preemie—SCALE, and many more, also supported the “Let them thrive!” theme highlighting that preterm birth rates are rising globally.

Special thanks also go to the more than 40 parent organisations and NGO’s who endorsed the global theme. 

Warm thanks to everyone for sharing all these wonderful activities for World Prematurity Day 2017 with us. We present you here below a selection of worldwide events. 

NIDCAP Federation International (NFI): In tribute to the families, nursery staff and hospitals that provide sensitive and nurturing care, the NFI shared its 2017 NFI World Prematurity Day Poster on which 47 nurseries around the globe are represented. For the third year in a row the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge in Boston, the birthplace of the NFI and headquarters to the National NIDCAP Training Center, will be illuminated in purple. In addition this year, Boston City Hall and the Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge of Worcester/Shrewsbury will also be lit in purple to mark World Prematurity day. View more

LittleBigSouls: Hosting the London World Prematurity Day Concert with Eleanor Turner and Mendi Singh. View more (Facebook)

Every Woman Every Child: Under this year’s global theme “Let them thrive!”, Every Woman Every Child joined a global association of NGO’s (including EFCNI) to mobilise  global support to improve the health and well-being of preterm babies and their mothers. Every Woman Every Child endorses the Every Newborn Action Plan. View more

Maternal Health Task Force: MHTF has published a blog post highlighting critical issues in preterm birth for World Prematurity Day. View more

Save the Children (Nepal): Social Media Campaign in collaboration with global WPD group promoting the joint topic “Let them thrive!” View more (Facebook)

ISPUP – Instituto De Saúde Pública Da Universidade Do Porto, Portugal, a member of the Screening to Improve Health in Very Preterm Infants in Europe (SHIPS) project: Drawing contest dedicated to all children of the SHIPS cohort. This year these children are turning 6 years old. In a countdown to World Prematurity Day, EFCNI presented their inspiring paintings on social media in cooperation with ISPUP, Pais Prematuros, and XXS. View more (Facebook)

Research on European Children and Adults born Preterm (RECAP preterm) project members: To emphasise their commitment for preterm children and their families, the RECAP preterm project members supported World Prematurity Day by a joint online campaign coordinated by EFCNI. View more (RECAP preterm website)

Members of “Workpackage 10”: Dr Verena Lindacher, Johanna Walz and Nicole Thiele from EFCNI welcomed Professor Rolf Maier from the Philipps Universität Marburg at the EFCNI office in Munich to a “Workpackage 10” meeting as part of the RECAP preterm project. Like all members of the RECAP preterm project, they supported World Prematurity Day and shared a social media message with the research community. View more (Facebook)

Baxter: Headquarters in Deerfield, USA, organised a Global Neonatal Symposium to raise awareness of preterm birth with about 300 participants. Baxter employees told their NICU experiences and donated for an EFCNI project. Across Europe, Baxter facilities joined global efforts in places such as Benelux, Ireland, Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. Hundreds of employees and their families came together to raise awareness, collected resources for local charities, and learned more about World Prematurity Day and its importance. View more

Natus: On their educational platform “Neonatal Care Academy”, which is addressed to clinicians, Natus has launched a free and on-demand education module on World Prematurity Day and how everything started. Speaker of this 40-minutes course is Silke Mader, chairwoman and Co-founder of EFCNI. In addition, Natus provides the factsheet “Welcoming the family in the neonatal intensive care unit” for free download. View more

Nestlé Nutrition: All in purple: Nestlé’s German Headquarter in Frankfurt organised different activities for the World Prematurity Day and raised awareness of preterm birth among their employees. The cafeteria served purple food and offered purple drinks; Employees dressed-up in purple and in the morning of 17 November, they received cutting patterns for tiny socks to hang on a long socks line in the building. The Nestlé campus was illuminated for World Prematurity Day and colleagues had the opportunity to join a donation campaign for EFCNI.

Philips Avent: social media campaign – a call for parents to share their experiences with preterm birth. Hundreds of mothers and fathers have followed the appeal.

Vygon: For this 9th World Prematurity Day, several countries (France, Spain, USA, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, Philippines, Indonesia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Scandinavia, South Africa, Turkey…) coordinated varied activities. Grown-up preterms, families of preterm babies, healthcare professionals and members of healthcare foundations participated. Attendees were invited to discuss with healthcare professionals and to share their personal experiences. View more

Argentinian Health Ministry in close collaboration with UNICEF: Several activities took place in Buenos Aires and other cities during the “semana del prematuro” (week of prematurity). This year, the campain took place for the eighth time and focused on the families’ right of information and participation when it comes to decisions parents have to make for their babies. On Saturday, 11 November 2017, mothers of babies born preterm were invited to join the “Fiesta del Prematuro” at the Hospital Santojanni in Buenos Aires. From 13 November to 17 November, many other public hospitals were decorated and offered community activities for children and parents of preterm babies, such as games, little concerts, or stage plays. Talks on prematuritiy, the rights of preterm babies, and working with preterm babies and their families were given to raise awareness among parents and professionals. View more (In Spanish)

The Miracle Babies Foundation: In honour of World Prematurity Day, the Miracle Babies Foundation raised awareness by sharing a personal story and they gave away ten handmade storks to new regular givers. View more (Facebook)

National Premmie Foundation: Clinicians and parents attended a morning tea at Queensland’s largest public hospital. The importance of raising awareness was stressed. View more

Tiny Sparks WA (Western Australia): In the city of Perth, the Bell Tower, Elisabeth Quay, and the Trafalgar Bridge lit up in purple thanks to Tiny Sparks WA. There were also some WPD celebrations at the King Edward Hospital where the co-founders and volunteers of Tiny Sparks WA met up with families of preterm babies, and a boxing fight night with amateur fighters competing to raise funds for the Women and Infants Research Foundation and Tiny Sparks WA. View more (Facebook)

Again this year, the Story Bridge and the Victoria Bridge in Brisbane CBD were lit up purple for World Prematurity Day. View more (Facebook)

Preterm Infant’s Parents Association (PIPA): The Preterm Infant’s Parents Association shared many personal stories about preterm birth to raise awareness of this topic on WPD. View more (Facebook)

Life’s Little Treasures Foundation: The Life’s Little Treasures Foundation organised a WPD morning tea for families in the NICU and Special care at the Mercy Hospital for Women in Melbourne. Staff and parents were invited, families received little presents, and it was an opportunity to chat and share experiences. View more (Facebook)

University Hospital Graz: The townhall of Graz and the administration building of the LKH-Univ. Klinikum / University Hospital Graz were lit up in purple and experts from the University State hospital informed the public about the risks and challenges of preterm birth at the main square in the afternoon of World Prematurity Day. View more (in German)

University Hospital Salzburg / SALK: For the Neonatology department team of the University Hospital Salzburg (Uniklinikum Salzburg, SALK), 17 November 2017 was a special day in two respects. Not only did they celebrate World Prematurity Day, but they were also excited to receive “Paul”, a preterm simulator which represents a preterm baby born at 27 weeks with realistic anatomy. This patient simulator provides a new and safe learning opportunity for critical care training in the neonatology. To raise awareness, several shops and buildings in Salzburg, including the Hohensalzburg Castle, were illuminated purple. View more (in German)

Vlaamse Vereniging voor Ouders van Couveusekinderen (VVOC): The Sint-Rombouts tower (Sint-Romboutstoren) in Mechelen lit up purple for preemies, and parents shared personal stories and pictures in the parent association’s Facebook group. Parents were invited to register for a study day about parents’ participation in neonatology, which took place at the Hotel Park Inn in Leuven on World Prematurity Day. View more (in Dutch)

Department of Neonatology of the Hospital de la Mujer Dr Percy Boland Rodriguez: Staff and families of preterm babies celebrated World Prematurity Day at the Department of Neonatology of the Women’s hospital. Erwin Román, Head of the Department of Neonatology, explained that 14.5% of babies born at this hospital are preterm births and engaged women to undergo all check-ups and examinations to prevent preterm birth whenever possible. To improve care at the department of neonatology, a new office for a doctor who specialises in preterm birth and preterm infants will be created in 2018. View more (Facebook)

Our Premature Children: The Bulgarian foundation raised awareness by illuminating several buildings and by presenting their project “Little Wonders” which aims to provide comprehensive support to the families of preterm children. View more (in Bulgarian)

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CAISM – Unicamp/Instituto Abrace: Impressive decoration with lots of balloons to raise awareness of the causes, risks, and challenges of preterm birth.

The Canadian Premature Babies Foundation: Many landmarks across Canada went purple to raise awareness and to honour preemies, their families, and caregivers. Amongst them were the CN Tower in Toronto, the Kingston City Hall, the Confederation Building in St. John’s, the BC Place and the Convention Hall in Vancouver, the Edmonton High Level Bridge, and the Peace Bridge at the Canadian US border. View more

Parents of Preemies Association: The Parents of Preemies Association hosted the 5th annual World Prematurity Awareness event at the Ottawa Hospital. Parents had the opportunity to chat with professionals and volunteers at various information booths, and kids were invited to play some games, to draw pictures, to try an infant massage, or to join other activities such as facepainting. View more

Neovidas: WPD celebrations at the NICUs of the Hospital Base Valdivia and Puerto Montt. View more (Facebook)

Asprem: Asprem organised educational encounters for families of preterm babies at the Clínica Bicentenario and the hospital Luis Tisné in Santiago de Chile. Healthcare professionals gave talks on various topics regarding preterm birth, and families were able to chat and share experiences with each other and the attending healthcare professionals. View more (Facebook)

Red Sanar: Red Sanar Medellín, which was founded in 2016, organised a two-day event full of activities, celebrations, and talks to inform the public and to celebrate preemies and their families. View more (in Spanish)

Klub roditelja nedonoscadi PALCICI: Illuminations in 25 cities throughout Croatia organised by PALCICI and its local sub-organisations. Media campaign to raise awareness; parents gathered to raise awareness of the challenges and burden of preterm birth in their community. View more (Facebook)

Friends of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Association-Cyprus (FNICU): Together with the cyclists of the Panos Evripidou Foundation the cyprian parent organisation organised a special cycling and family event and distributed little gifts to raise awareness. View more (Facebook)

Nedoklubko: The Czech parent organisation Nedoklubko collected more than 10,000 little socks as a symbol for preterm babies and their families. This unique project was placed on exhibit at their impressive gala charity event at Zofin Palace a few days before World Prematurity Day. Families and professionals were welcomed to join. On World Prematurity Day, the dancing house in Prague (also known as Fred&Ginger) as well as many other buildings lit up in purple and Nedoklubko gave out presents to parents and NICUs and distributed flyers and magazines. View more (in Czech)

City of Rõuge: The observation tower called Nesting Tree in Rõuge, Estonia, lit up in purple on World Prematurity Day. Usually, the Nesting Tree shines pink or blue for every newborn in the village.

By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

Always unblock YouTube

SOS Préma: SOS Préma and the hospital “Hôpital Privé la Châtaigneraie” organised a public event to mark World Prematurity Day. Visitors were provided with the opportunity to inform themselves at the SOS Préma information booth, to speak with healthcare professionals and to admire the little crocheted octupuses that the NICU now has in their incubators. SOS Préma launched a video on prematurity to inform the public and to broaden awareness. View more (Facebook)

By loading the post, you agree to Facebook's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load post

Always unblock Facebook posts

Trauma and Specialist Hospital, Winneba: The paediatric unit embarked on a march through the streets of Winneba as part of the occasion, together with other invited hospitals, churches and social organisations to celebrate children born before the normal gestational age of 9 months. The activity was rounded off with talks of nurses and other health professionals educating about the care for preterm born infants. View more

Ilitominon:

• Singer/Songwriter Vassilis Babaniaris supported the Greek organisation Ilitominon and composed the ballad “Your Fighter” for World Prematurity Day 2017. View more (Facebook in Greek) Listen to the song (Youtube)
• Broadcasting a TV-Spot on preterm birth which will be shown for a month on all Greek TV programs watch the spot here (Youtube)
• Illuminating the White Tower in Thessaloniki
• Co-organising a workshop “Positioning for Premature Baby Development” together with the NICU’s of the General Hospital of Nikea (Piraeus) and the NICU of General & Maternity District Hospital “Helena Venizelou”.

Melletted a helyem – Right(s) beside you: A singing flash-mob gathered at the Chain Bridge which was again illuminated in purple lights, symbolically bridging between stakeholders and facilitators. “Tiny Messages” were handed over to politicians. There was a press conference and the premier of the documentary “Life in the NICU”. View more (Facebook in Hungarian)

KORE (Koraszülöttekért Közhasznú Egyesület):The organisation activated its nationwide network and had buildings and institutions all over Hungary illuminated in purple. Highlights were the Palace of arts and the facade of the Corvinus University in Budapest. View more (in Hungarian)

Fyrirburar: The organisation encouraged parents of preemies to share their stories and got one big article published in a national online magazine Visir. View more (in Icelandic)

Moheb Yas Women’s Hospital: Parents, nurses, students and physicians were welcomed in the neonatal unit. Posters were installed on the walls. The hospital chairman acknowledged the caregivers with a letter of appreciation. The celebration was held as magnificent as last years.

Irish National Health Alliance: Every NICU in Ireland received a NICU hamper from the INHA on November 17th containing premature baby clothing, linen, blankets, hats, incubator covers, kangaroo mothercare sweaters, cosynests, journals and pens, toiletries, waterwipes, boxes of chocolates, angel gowns, water bottles, handwashing tags and much more. Purple illumination of Landmarks to celebrate the 4500 babies born too early in Ireland this year again, many Irish landmarks were illuminated in purple light on the night of November 17th. Furthermore a medical symposium and workshops were held e.g. on empowerment, education, and partnership and a nationwide media coverage on the issue of preterm birth was achieved. View more (Facebook)

Vivere Onlus/Piccino Picciò: Purple light campaign “M’illumino di viola” which united people all over Italy in raising awareness on NICUs, preemies and their families, nurses, and doctors.  Symposium together with Il Bucaneve about future clinical care procedures for preterm infants in Messina. A photo exhibition, a prize draw and baloon flying at the hospital M.P. Arezzo in Ragusa. In many parts of Italy they had a lots of activities organized by the associations who are members of Vivere Onlus: Florence, Prato, Modena, Padua, Milan, Syracuse, Naples, Turin, Pisa, Lucca, Viareggio, Parma, Mantua, Como, Bologna, Mestre, Taranto, Ragusa, Messina and many others. The activities took place in hospitals, in theaters, in conference halls, etc. View more (Website Piccino Piccio in Italian)

Insieme Per Crescere Onlus: Besides an info point with experts informing about preterm birth there was a photo exhibition “Piccolissimo me” at the Bolognini hospital in Seriate and a playground for kids where games were organised by a therapist. At the library in Costa Volpino there was a book release of the autobiographic story of a mother and her preterm son, accompanied by neonatal experts. View more (in Italian)

County Innovation Challenge Fund: World Prematurity Day has been the vehicle to raise awareness of preterm birth and the concerns of preterm babies and their families worldwide. Kenya is ranked no. 15 globally with the highest number of premature births out of 188 countries. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has noticeably reduced infant mortality amongst preterm born babies – hence a campaign was launched on WPD promoting KMC as a low-cost, high-impact measurement to decrease infant mortality. Infographics were distributed for free download. View more

Neisnesiotukas: Illuminating the cityhall of Vilnius, the Vilnius Zverynas Bridge, the Lietuvos Energija building, the singing oak tree in Ukmerge, the Mercure Hotel in Marijampole, the cityhall of Marijampole, the culture palace in Marijampole, the community centre in Pasvalys, the familytheatre “Art”, and the community centre of Klaipeda. Reunions and celebrations in the University Hospital in Vilnius and the clinic in Siauliai. View more (Facebook in Lithuanian)

Padedu augti: The gynaecological-, obstetrical- and neonatal units in clinics in Kaunas invited preterms, their mothers and family members to gather to celebrate and raise awareness for preterm birth. Chaplains blessed the babies and their mothers. There were relaxing massages for mother and child followed by an art therapy. View more (Facebook in Lithuanian)

Lulka – Association for care and education: A gathering with Macedonian experts in neonatology and the deputy minister of health was held at the Aleksandar Palace Hotel where drawings of former preterm children were exhibited. A Family day in Skopje was organised and a special newsletter sent to the network. View more (Facebook in Macedonian)

University of Malaya Medical Centre: The Medical Centre organised a big open air event with a Superpreemie Run with children, parents and medical staff participating on behalf of World Prematurity Day. View more (Facebook)

Erasmus MC Rotterdam: Sophia Kinderziekenhuis celebrated WPD with decorations and was supported by mascot Olli, the elephant. Several Landmarks in Rotterdam were lit in purple e.g. the Erasmus Bridge and the Hofplein Fountain. View more (Facebook in Dutch)

Vereniging van Ouders van Couveusekinderen/Kleine Kanjers: Development and publication of the book “Borstvoeding geven aan je prematuur” (Breastfeeding your preterm infant); A poster of the 2017 theme “Together we care” was sent to all hospitals highlighting the partnership of parents and healthcare professionals in the daily care. 2000 copies of VOC’s quaterly were distributed to the parents in the hospitals; a Symposium for healthcare professionals; illumination of about 20 buildings all around the country; Photoshootings in about 30 hospitals with preterm infants and their parents. In Blogposts on the organisations website  parents could share their experiences and personal stories. View more (in Dutch)

Fundacja Wczesniak: Magdalena Sadecka-Makaruk, the founder of Fundacja Wczesniak, has been invited as a guest of the Polish TV show “Questions for breakfast” and talked about the foundation and the emotions of parents of preterm babies. Fundacja Wczesniak also participated in several family events in cooperation with hospitals in Poland, like a special “prom” event for preterm children. View more (in Polish)

Wczesniakowo in support of Fundacja Swiadomi Rodzice: Gathering of preterm children and their parents at a kindergarden in Ruda Slaska in the South of Poland. The motto of the day focused on the challenges and achievements of these little patients. View more (Website Wcesniakowo, in Polish)

Pais Prematuros in close cooperation with the Hospital São João: Family event with the screening of a movie and an exhibition of artworks related to the subject of prematurity. In a handicraft workshop, visitors could make little presents for babies on the neonatology unit. Later, people gathered for a flashmob in the garden of the hopital and after visiting a mass, the day was rounded off with a cosy get-together with cake and the hand-over of the little presents to the unit. View more (Facebook, in Portuguese)

XXS – Associação Portuguesa de Apoio ao Bebé Prematuro: XXS started a campaign called XXS – XXL “Pequeno no tamanho, Grande no coração” (small in size, big at heart) that directly involves Portuguese families. They asked people to knit hats and babysuits for preterm babies in neonatal intensive care units. On their website, they provided DIY videos with knitting instructions. They also presented the campaign on various occasions, e.g. at a Conference for Neonatology in Covilhã, a city in the Centro region in Portugal. View more (website XXS)

Asociatia Unu si Unu: At a family event at the municipal hospital in Bucharest, preterm children and their parents returned to the hospital they had been treated after their birth and celebrated their successful struggle to survive and to thrive, and where they united and strengthened each other. They had fun and took gorgeous pictures in a photo cabin. Besides this, Unu si Unu started the “I care” campaign in which mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, and many more people, expressed their support of WPD. In addition, 35 painters donated their work to collect funds. Company staff members as well as private persons also contributed and gave money for new projects and NICU equipment. View more (Facebook)

Asociatia Prematurilor: For this year’s WPD, Asociatia Prematurilor highlighted the importance of Kangaroo Care and celebrated the introduction of Kangaroo Care including special equipment like Kangaroo charis at the Spitalul Clinic Dr. I. Cantacuzino with a colourful family event. In parallel to this, they created an awareness campaign to highlight the importance of skin-to-skin care in maternal units in Romania in which they encouraged their followers on social media to share their personal story of preterm birth. They also featured best practice examples of hospitals in the country. View more (in Romanian)

Baby Care Sibiu: Baby Care Sibiu celebrated WPD with three events. First, they organised a festive meeting and unforgettable evening with “little heroes”, former patients of a neonatal intensive care unit and their families. Second, they released an emotional book of parents whose children had been on the neonatal unit in Sibiu. It is especially targeted at mothers who experiences the challenges of preterm birth for the first time in their lives and who need support. Third, a great project for the support of families was launched in the NICU in Sibiu. The story of “NICU graduates” and positive messages were projected on the floor to support affected families and visitors of the unit. In addition, a digital information centre was installed in the unit that provides useful information for parents, like prematurity, complications, care procedures, lactation, etc. View more (Facebook)

Huggies^(R) (South Africa): To show their support to parents and premature babies in South Africa, Huggies® donated 100 cases of Huggies® Preemie nappies, that is 3 000 nappies in total, to a Neonatal Care Unit at Tembisa Hospital in Tembisa, Johannesburg. The company also encouraged South Africans to wear purple and to purchase the official R10 World Prematurity Day sticker at Toys R Us, South Africa, who collaborated with them. View more (Website News24)

Countless buildings wer lit in purple in Taipeh including the Opera, the Taipeh World Trade Centre, the Kaohsiung Financial Centre, Hotels and Temples. There were meet ups with former preterms, their parents and hospital staff, a press conference on preterm birth organised by the National Health Department, charity activities supported by athletes and festive activities in hospitals. View more (Facebook in Chinese)

World Prematurity Day keeps growing and has long turned into a global movement. In 2016, people from more than 120 countries united around the world and celebrated the 6th World Prematurity Day on 17 November. Some of them joined us for the first time, among them participants from Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Columbia, Ethiopia or Egypt. EFCNI screened more than 200 special events worldwide and the global World Prematurity Day Facebook page reached about 5.4 million people. The number of purple lightings, one of the symbols of this awareness day, increased by about 20 percent.

We were also overwhelmed by the positive feedback on our World Prematurity Day initiative A Strong Start for Little Heroes:EFCNI offered hospitals in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland a diverse action package for the celebration of the event. More than 150 hospitals joined us. Besides this, EFCNI had the opportunity to speak at various conferences and to give several interviews. To honour 17 November, the EFCNI team wore purple and created a special social media series about the topic of family-centred care.

A big thank you to everyone who once again made World Prematurity Day a special day. You helped us raise awareness for the cause of preterm babies and their families. We also warmly thank our global network and corporate partners for the fruitful cooperations and everyone who sent us details about their events and shared them on the EFCNI Changemaker Map.

Warm thanks to everyone for sharing all these wonderful activities for World Prematurity Day 2016 with us. We present you here below a selection of worldwide events. 

Large-scale initiative A Strong Start for Little Heroes: Neonatal intensive care units in Germany and Austria were invited to celebrate this special day with inhouse events. EFCNI offered them a diverse action package for the celebration of the event. More than 150 hospitals with neonatal intensive care units participated. View more about the A Strong Start for Little Heroesevents on the international project website or the German project website.

Our entire EFCNI team wore purple on 17 November to express our support for World Prematurity Day

EFCNI created a special social media series for World Prematurity Day, focusing on the topic of family-centred and developmentally supportive care

Media coverage about World Prematurity Day: Newspapers (e.g. Süddeutsche Zeitung, Münchner Merkur), TV programmes (e.g. ZDF Mona Lisa, WDR)

Talk by EFCNI Chair Silke Mader about ‘Eltern sind keine Besucher – Eltern sind Eltern’ (‘Parents aren’t visitors – parents are parents). World Prematurity Day celebration at one-day symposium ‘Zu früh im Leben’, University Hospital Bonn.

Talk by EFCNI Chair Silke Mader about ‘Frühgeborene brauchen eine Lobby’ (‘Preterm infants need a lobby’) at 10th anniversary symposium of Harl.e.kin-Nachsorge Nuremberg at Klinikum Nuremberg. View more

NIDCAP Federation International (NFI): In tribute to the families, nursery staff and hospitals that provide sensitive and nurturing care, the NFI shared its 2016 NFI World Prematurity Day Poster on which 47 nurseries around the globe are represented. In addition, lighting of the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge in Boston,the birthplace of the NFI and headquarters to the National NIDCAP Training Center. View more

Screening to Improve Health In very Preterm InfantS in Europe (SHIPS) project: The SHIPS project team is sharing a special poster on World Prematurity Day. The mission of the SHIPS project is to improve follow-up programmes in Europe for better health in children born very preterm. EFCNI is proud partner of this project. View more

LittleBigSouls: Launch of a social media campaign which celebrates children born preterm and their parents with a photo shooting. View more (Facebook)

MamaYe – Evidence for Action: Kangaroo Mother Care challenge and Media Roundtable on KMC in Nigeria; Publication of updated factsheets on prematurity in Nigeria and Malawi; Publication of infographics on prematurity in several African countries.

Natus: Educational seminar/Presentation on Challenges of Prematurity and simple measure to be taken to change outcomes.

Philips Avent: Social Media series on behalf of World Prematurity Day. View more (Facebook)

Save the Children: Family Day in the hospital in Gondar, Ethiopia, celebration together with hospital staff. Save the Children Bangladesh organised a roundtable in collaboration with several NGOs such as the Bangladesh Pediatric Association, the Bangladesh Neonatal Forum, the Bangladesh Perinatal Society, and UNICEF; huge media coverage View more (Facebook)

Shire: Shire celebrated World Prematurity Day on both sides of the Atlantic, e.g. in Switzerland and in the USA. With several events the enterprise raised awareness with purple decoration and information leaflets on the one hand and with special World Prematurity Day cakes on the other hand.

Vygon: Vygon took part in the World Prematurity Day in more than 15 countries this year (France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, South Africa, Japan, Germany (Datteln), UK, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, etc).They organised diverse activities like information events in hospitals (like University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University Hospital Saint-Luc in Brussels, Hospital Center Régional De Namur, etc.) for medical staff and parents. In addition, they arranged lunch celebrations, photography contests, family programmes, and a choir performance by grown-up preterm children. Vygon staff members teamed up and wore purple to commemorate the special day. Many media reported about the events. View more

The Story Bridge in Brisbane, Australia, went purple for World Prematurity Day Australia. View more

Miracle Babies Foundation: Amazing fundraising campaign: Installation of 2,500 handmade origami paper storks in the foyer of NSW Parliament House – 1 bird for every 10 preterm babies born in Australia this year. Additional social media campaign (storytelling about prematurity, encouraging people to share their personal experiences)

Life’s Little Treasures Foundation (LLFT): LLFT informs about WPD and calls premie families to take part in sharing  memories, photos or drawings on social media by tagging their stories with #LifesLittleTreasures #WorldPrematurityDay View more

L’il Aussie Prems Foundation: L’il Aussie Prems Foundation gave valuable information about World Prematurity Day and asked everyone to help spread the word. Amongst other helpful links the foundation asked to light a candle on 17th November 2016 at 7pm,  take a photo of with one’s family and the candle, and post it on the NPF Facebook page and the Official World Prematurity Facebook pages. By suggesting to update facebook profile images, cover photos and to place a WPD banner on one’s blog, they hope to reach as many people as possible.

Preterm Infants’ Parents’ Association (PIPA): Big family event at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, lovely storytelling/social media campaign (parents shared their memories and photostories). View more (Facebook)

FRÜH R LEBEN/Salzburger Landeskliniken – Universitätsklinikum Salzburg (SALK): To honour World Prematurity Day, Neonatology Department of the university hospital Salzburg (Uniklinikum Salzburg, SALK) held a Preemie- & Baby-Event on 12 November offering entertainment and a activity programme for children and families, various information stands, a book stand and a Charity Stand of the foundation “Früh R Leben” and the clinic´s neonatal team.

Néonid Belgium and PBF Premature Baby & Family: In collaboration with PBF Premature Baby & Family, Néonid Belgium presented an educational video about prematurity and the challenges of families in Belgium affected by prematurity. In addition, they gave presents to parents in neonatal intensive care units in Belgium. View more (Facebook)

PBF Premature Baby & Family and CHC Liège Hospital: Production of a video highlighting Belgian families affected by preterm birth and parents organisations united with medical team for continuous support to families. Video was sent to NICUs for World Prematurity Day. Hospitals and gathered in the evening at the Office Nationale de L’enfance headquarters for the premiere of the video. CHC Liège: St-Vincent Clinic (Rocourt) was participating in World Prematurity Day with its CHN neonatology department, which had a stand in the lobby of the clinic informing the public about prematurity. Additionally, they now welcome parents whose infants are hospitalised in neonatology to present their new parental support project. View more (Facebook)

By loading the post, you agree to Facebook's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load post

Always unblock Facebook posts

Vlaamse Vereniging voor Ouders van Couveusekinderen (VVOC): VVOC created awareness for World Prematurity Day on 17 November by offering templates to customise Facebook profile banners. Special presents (picture frames) for parents of preterm children. View more (Dutch)

Stenola Productions in cooperation with ARTE: There was a community engagement and following built around their film LIFE TO COME (La vie à venir) by the director Claudio Capanna. A special 360° virtual reality short version of the movie was launched on ARTE Future on World Prematurity Day. View more

By loading the video, you agree to Vimeo's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

Always unblock Vimeo

Department of Neonatology, Hospital de la Mujer Dr Percy Boland Rodriguez: The hospital celebrated World Prematurity Day by various events and activities to raise awareness for the problem of preterm birth. View more (Facebook)

Clinic for Children Disease, University Clinical Center Tuzla: Informing media and political decision-makers about the topic of preterm birth. Directors, students, doctors and other medical staff released purple balloons.

Our Premature Children: TV Interview in Bulgarian National Television and cocktail party at Grand Hotel Sofia, in the city of Sofia – to launch a new idea – build a place where families of preterm children find comprehensive support from qualified professionals. View more (Facebook in Bulgarian)

Prematuridade: “Walk of Prematurity” on 11/20/2016 with more than 700 participants in Porto Alegre, where they hosted an hour of meditation, followed by a one-hour walk to raise awareness for WPD; Awareness campaign at the National Congress achieved the support of more than 60 deputies; In total more than 50 events througout Brazil with picnics, meetings and summits; Lightings of several buildings such as hospitals and soccer stadiums; Launch of a short video showing the reality of prematurity in Brazil; Social media campaign to raise awareness. View more (Portuguese)

Hospital João Murilo de Oliveira: They gathered preterm infants and their parents in a great meeting with several activities for children and families. In addition, they collected statements by families on their experiences with prematurity. 

The Canadian Premature Babies Foundation (CPBF): The CPBF has partnered with several organisations to promote nationwide programming and supported the International Global Illumination Project to honour preemies, their families and their dedicated caregivers. For World Prematurity Day 2016, 10 buildings alone in Vancouver participated in the Global Illumination Project by lighting up purple. Amongst them were Calgary Tower – for the first time, The Skylon Tower, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Toronto City Hall and their 3D lights, Mississauga City Hall participating for their second year, The SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon is hosting a huge event, Victoria General Hospital and the Royal BC Museum. Throughout the evening of World Prematurity Day CPBF shared photographs of the many events and illuminated buildings on their Facebook page and Twitter.

By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

Always unblock YouTube

Nedoklubko: Various events took place to create awareness for WPD: a conference was held at Zofin Palace focusing mainly on communication being the most important pillar of caring for mothers after giving birth to a premature baby, an impressive gala-event called ‘Purple Heart’ award ceremony and a get-together at Zofin Park for families and clinic personnel enjoing the event’s programme and later that day children and their families could walk with many others in a lantern parade. View more (Facebook)

By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

Always unblock YouTube

Neovidas: Illumination of two iconic buildings in Santiago de Chile. Hosting of an international conference on Pulmonar Problems and Neurological Development in preterm infants with international experts. Social activity: People expressed their commitment for World Prematurity Day by taking special photographs of themselves in which they are holding WPD posters. Many TV stations and newspapers reported about the event. View more (Facebook)

UNICEF China: UNICEF China presented a video for World Prematurity Day, remarks by several collaborating partners, interaction between experts and families with preterm babies, held a poem recitation event by medical staff and released the World Prematurity Day logo in China. View more

Fundación Milagros de Vida: They called for everyone’s attention on the global problem of preterm birth and asked everyone to join them and raise awareness by lighting a candle for premature babies. To give this important cause a voice they invited their followers to take a photo, adding #WorldPrematurityDay2016 and having them state the reason why they lighted a candle. They also contributed to a special radio programme on Radio Bolivariana. View more (Facebook)

Klub roditelja nedonoscadi PALCICI: In cooperation with their groups (e.g. PALCICI Split), PALCICI illuminated buildings all over Croatia (e.g. Zadar, Buzet, Pula, Split etc,), organised joyful family events in different cities in cooperation with local hospitals. As a symbol of World Prematurity Day, they were raising colourful balloons. View more (Facebook)

Friends of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (FNICU): Friends of the NICU welcomed everybody on this year’s World Prematurity Day to share fotos and stories on their facebook page – giving hope to families of preterm born babies. They organised a special cycling and family event full of purple power to celebrate WPD. View more

Mora Thavmata: For World Prematurity Day, Mora Thavmata, lighted the Nicosia town hall in purple. They also asked people to change their profile picture to commemorate WPD. In addition, they held a press conference and an awareness event at a shopping mall with face painting, afternoon activities, balloons. They visited the neonatal intensive care unit and gave gifts to parents. Another activity was a swimming event in the open sea. View more (Facebook)

Dansk Præmatur Forening: Denmark acknowleges World Prematurity Day traditionally with a little gift for families of neonatal departments. To help these little heroes stay warm, they handed out mini-mittens and hats, specially fabricated in smaller sizes and made of eco-friendly cotton. View more (in Danish)

Landsforeningen Præmatures Vilkår: The organisation created three posters naming the littlest of preterm babies born in Denmark. This shows a fraction of the 4,600 babies being born preterm each year in Denmark. These posters can be downloaded for free or ordered for 189 Kronen. The entire revenue will be used to provide Danish neonatal units with the best possible information on prematurity. View more (in Danish)

Pequenas Vidas: Pequenas Vidas promotes neonatal health and prematurity awareness in the Dominican Republic through education, support and advocacy, and a global network of friends. They support the efforts of various organisations around the world such as March of Dimes in the U.S., Bliss in the U.K. and many others, promoting World Prematurity Day. They called for raising awareness on prematurity and the prevention of premature birth. View more

Egyptian Neonatal Network (EGNN): EGNN invited health care professionals (doctors & nurses), politicians, parliament representatives, university students, regional ministries of health officials, religious leaders, academic staff, and parents of preterm babies to celebrate World Prematurity Day. The meeting was attended by students from universities and schools and their parents. The awareness event was held in Arabic language, focusing on preterm labor, prematurity, and retinopathy of prematurity. In addition, a talk from a religious leader on rights of newborns in religion and the importance of donations to take care of these tiny babies was held. View more

MTÜ Enneaegsed lapsed: Social media campaign to encourage their followers to share fotos of illuminated buildings. View more

Kevyt – Association of Premature Babies’s Parents: Mother of a preterm child in TV show, publication of articles on preterm birth on TV website. Coverage in regional newspapers and on social media, lightings in cities all over Finland.

Association MLL:n Turun keskosperheet ry, Turku: For World Prematurity Day the Association MLL:n Turun shared information on prematurity by providing a media release on the subject and suggested to participate by dressing in purple or using decorative elements. They call for solidarity with posts and pictures on social media networks using #worldprematurityday #keskoslastenpaiva View more (in Finnish)

SOS Préma: SOS Préma created a wonderful social media series with sensitive messaging about the different experiences of parents of preterm and of term born babies. They also held a charity dinner and Charlotte Bouvard, founder of SOS Préma, gave an interview on radio RTL. View more

Frühstart e.V. Mainz/University Medical Centre Mainz: Lighting in purple of University Medical Centre building in Mainz, initiated by Frühstart e. V. Mainz. View more (in German)

Frühgeborene und kranke Neugeborene Mannheim e.V.: Next to a breakfast event for families with preterm babies at the IKEA restaurant in Mannheim, the National Theater of Mannheim was illuminated purple for World Prematurity Day. They also organised a champagne reception for friends of their association and guests from politics and medicine. View more (in German)

Christliches Kinderhospital Osnabrück: For the World Prematurity Day, the city of Osnabrück illuminated the city hall, the Steigenberger-Hotel Remarque, the Hotel Arcona Living, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as the Christian Children’s Hospital. The mentioned buildings are also decorated with banners and posters. View more (Osnabrücker Zeitung)

Hospital Leverkusen: For the World Prematurity Day the BayArena in Leverkusen will be illuminated in purple thanks to the initiative of the hospital in Leverkusen. In the morning the hospital invites all families of premature babies for a breakfast event.

Missio Children’s Hospital Würzburg: Beginning with the World Prematurity Day the Childrens Hospital in Würzburg invited patients and their families and friends to the information event with a photo exhibition about prematurity. Exhibition is open until December 1, 2016. View more (in German)

Deutscher Bundesverband Das Frühgeborene Kind e.V.: The organisation started an initiative called ‘Purple for Preemies’ and asked people to send pictures of buildings that were illuminated for World Prematurity Day. They also created a special poster about the benefits of mother’s milk and breastfeeding. In addition, the organisation ‘Das Frühgeborene Kind e.V.’ started an initiative ‘write a postcard to politicians’ to raise awareness for the challenges of preterm birth. View more (in German)

By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

Always unblock YouTube

Ilitominon: Celebration with families in Patra – decision to establish a branch of the organisation in the city in order to support families and the local NICUs; Seminar “Human milk banks” in collaboration with international experts and the Human Milk Bank of the Neonatal Department of General- Maternity District Hospital “Helena Venizelou”; Illumination of the hospital until 29 November to welcome the FINE Programme, as it was the first time that education about family-centred care was introduced in Greece; Celebration in NICUs all over the country. Ilitominon sent packages with WPD posters, purple balloons for the decoration and knitted blankets, caps and socks for the families. Collaboration with further NGOs such as Health’s Allies, Voluntary Midwifery, FAINARETI, ELEPAP-Rehabilitation for The Disabled Children. Special appearance by the Children Choir of 7th Elementary School of Nea Smirni. The overall outcome was more than positive; for the first time in Greece, people from different social and professional areas were involved in World Prematurity Day activities, therefore making this day a day that matters the whole community. View more (Facebook)

Melletted a helyem – Right(s) beside you: An intimate gathering was taking place on the occation of this year’s World Prematurity Day: Showing respect, gratitude and unity while honoring World Prematurity Day with a concert on 13 November, being held at the Budapest Music Center. Dr Csaba Palatine, organiser of the event, wanted to draw attention to the lives of these little heroes, who fight everyday to stay alive. Also, on 17 November a sympathy walk was held on the Chain Bridge, symbolically bridging between stakeholders and facilitators. View more (in Hungarian)

Koraszülöttekért Közhasznú Egyesület (KORE): They arranged the purple illumination of the Jedlik Ányos Bridge (city), a purple illumination of the Town Halll (old town) in Szentendre and a family day, a day together from all over the country with professionals, and caretakers to meet, to discuss, to celebrate the annual WPD. View more (in Hungarian)

Moheb Yas Women’s Hospital: Parents, nurses, students and physicians were welcomed in the neonatal unit. Posters were installed on the walls. The hospital chairman acknowledged the caregivers with a letter of appreciation. The celebration was held as magnificent as last years.

Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences: World Prematurity Day Awareness on 17th November 2016 in Level II and III of special care nurseries in Children’s Medical Center as important referral center in Iran by organising photo exhibition of preterm graduates from special care nurseries, memorial notes of families having preterm infants, gathering ceremony of mothers of premature babies with nurses and physicians; preparing educational classes for empowerment of mothers having premature babies; decorating the wards with balloons and streamers, putting purple ribbons on personnel ID tags; preparing educational pamphlets for parents having premature babies, uploading article about the importance of prematurity on website of the hospital. View more

Irish Neonatal Health Alliance (INHA): The Irish Minister of Health, Simon Harris TD, celebrated World Prematurity Day together with the participants of the Medical Symposium by Irish Neonatal Health Alliance in Dublin, Ireland. The Irish Minister of Health, Simon Harris TD, celebrated World Prematurity Day together with the participants of the Medical Symposium by Irish Neonatal Health Alliance in Dublin, Ireland. Purple Illumination of Buildings in Dublin, Cork & Limerick. All 19 NICUs received hampers from the INHA, the medical symposium takes place in Dublin, Coffee Mornings take place in Waterford & Cork, Media campaign and launch of a FCC Guide called ‘Better Together-a family centred care guide for your premature baby’. View more

Meir Medical Center NICU: The NICU at Meir Medical Center in Israel celebrated World Prematurity Day by having a gathering with parents and a talk by NICU founder Professor Dolfin. Parents brought a balloon and a personal card and wishes for their baby. Everyone wore a purple ribbon and a sticker, taking photos and having cake. It has been heartwarming.

Vivere Onlus/Piccino Picciò: Purple light campaign “M’illumino di viola” which united people all over Italy in raising awareness on NICUs, preemies and their families, nurses, and doctors. Conference about prematurity. Party for little heros and families. Press conference about the events for World Prematurity Day. Symposium at the Chamber of Deputies “Sala del Refettorio”. Reading of charter of rights of the premature babies by parents of children and professionals. In many parts of Italy they had a lots of activities organized by the associations who are members of Vivere Onlus: Florence, Prato, Modena, Padua, Milan, Syracuse, Naples, Turin, Pisa, Lucca, Viareggio, Parma, Mantua, Como, Bologna, Mestre, Taranto, Ragusa, Messina and many others. The activities took place in hospitals, the Chamber of Deputies, in theaters, in conference halls, etc. View more (in Italian)

Vivere Onlus in cooperation with the municipality of Santorso: Illumination of Sant’Orso Church of Santorso, kindly supported by the municipality of Santorso. View more (in Italian)

Associazione Pollicino Onlus: Associazione Pollicino Onlus organised lightings in the cities of Rimini and Modena, for example of the tower of Rimini and of other monuments in the province. They also arranged a family brunch and two football clubs visited babies and their families. View more (in Italian)

Association La Prima Coccola and Infermi Hospital Rimini: In collaboration with the Infermi Hospital in Rimini, the Association La Prima Coccola (“The first cuddle”) started several events for World Prematurity Day. Many families  and nurses attended. Materials and balloons were distributed, music was provided by Radio Sabbia. In the late afternoon, snacks were provided and a main monument was lit up in violet to represent the charity commitment and to commemorate World Prematurity Day. The following evening on 18 November, supported by the charity organisation “La festa per fare festa”, they organised a fish dinner with musical entertainment for families and nurses in the city of Coriano (province of Rimini). This event took place in Via Don Minzoni during the annual olive festival, where a group of doctors and assistants performed with their band “Bad bones” who perform covers from the 60’s up to present day. View more (in Italian)

Dan Giovanni: The Jamaican singer/songwriter Dan Giovanni released a powerful song on the burden of prematurity for both, infants and parents. He was born prematurely and dedicated this song to all the premature babies and their parents around the world. Chapeau! View more (Facebook)

By loading the post, you agree to Facebook's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load post

Always unblock Facebook posts

Uplift-Aufwind e.V. in cooperation with central paediatric clinic in Bishkek: On World Prematurity Day, Uplift-Aufwind e.V. handed over three Kangaroo-Chairs with little footstools to the central paediatric clinic in Bishkek. Donated by EFCNI, these are now the first and only chairs of this kind in the country. They are highly sought after, so that mothers even have to wait in a queue before they can relax in one of the chairs with their baby. Currently, 29 babies are being cared for in the neonatal unit. Among them are seven preterm babies that weigh less than 1,500 grams. All of the preemie-mothers use the chairs on a daily basis and doctors also advise using the love-therapy in the Kangaroo-Chairs for other weak and ill babies. View more

Neišnešiotukas: Illumination of govermement building; Musician Virgis Stakenas visited the NICU and parents. View more (Lithuanian)

Padedu augti: Lightings, exhibition, celebration families visiting in the hospital. View more (Lithuanian)

LULKA – Association for care and education: On the occasion of World Prematurity Day 2016, LULKA launched an electronic version of the free brochure When the stork is too early. The brochure is intended for anyone who is interested in premature birth, but especially for parents and families with a preterm baby who come home during the baby’s stay in the hospital. Beyond this, LULKA organised a panel discussion on the topic The challenges of a preterm birth as well as a press conference where the result of a parent’s survey were presented to the media. View more (Facebook)

Premnova: Celebration of WPD at Acibadem Sistina Hospital in Skopje with the little heroes and their parents; Skopje lights up in purple. View more (Facebook)

Pequeño NuNu: Emotional memorial event of the National Institute of Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes with outstanding participation of the palliative care provider Lourdes Ruiz Niño, collaborator of Little NuNu, with her message Re-signification of the premature birth; Public event on the topics kangaroo method, breastfeeding, life experiences before the preterm birth; Event in the Mexican social authority (IMSS); Lightning of important and historic monuments in Mexico; Several TV interviews on different channels; Joint event of industry, healthcare sector and civil society organisations at the university. View more (Facebook)

Nacer temprano…VIVIR EN GRANDE: Facebook series with special posters and quotes to raise awareness View more (Facebook)

Jhpiego in collaboration with Midwifery Society of Nepal (MIDSON): Advanced training  for about 120 doctors, nurses and health workers View more

Vereniging van Ouders van Couveusekinderen (VOC): Nightingale Award ceremony at Jeroen Bosch hospital (JBZ), won by Annemie van de Heuvel, children’s nurse at the JBZ. View more (Dutch)

All over the country: lllumination of iconic buildings in the Netherlands in purple, November 2015.

Vereniging van Ouders van Couveusekinderen (VOC) in collaboration with Kleine Kanjers, Earlybirds fotografie, Stichting Prilleven and Luflie: Kick off meeting at Sophia Children’s Hospital, week van het couveusekind Theme: It may also happen to you, lectures about the theme, proclamation of the winner Richard de Leeuw Price 14 november 2016, presentation of the FINEbook (Family and Infant Neurodevelopmental Education), an education program for professionals.

Kleine Kanjers: All NICU departments of university medical centres give away goody bags sponsored by SOCKE; book presentation A giraffe is not a monkey by Bianca de Ruijt, mother of a preterm baby, on the situation of preterm birth with many sketches of babies and parents with the incubator takes place at the Jeroen Bosch hospital. Presentation of the poem Het kan jou ook gebeuren (it can also happen to you) also by Bianca de Ruijt View more (in Dutch)

Stichting Prematurendag: The Prematurity foundation in the Netherlands presents the first NICU flashmob in the world. In this nine minute video which shows what parents of preterm babies, have to experience after a premature birth….

By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

Always unblock YouTube

Erasmus University Medical Center Sophia Childrens’ Hospital:Celebrating WPD 2016 by distributing along with parents’ association VOC and Vygon goodie bags for parents.

Emma Children’s Hospital / Academic Medical Center in collaboration with Vereniging van Ouders van Couveusekinderen (VOC): Lighting on important building, massage for parents, photosession of the infant for parents

The Neonatal Trust New Zealand: World Prematurity Day was celebrated in every of the 23 NICU and SCBU around New Zealand with baked delicious goodies View more (Facebook)

Prematurforeningen: Purple illumination of public buildings in the whole country e.g.Telenor Arena; Organisation of events for exchange between families with preterm babies (entertainment, snacks) in children’s hospitals (Drammen, Ullevål, Ålesund, St. Olavs); Seminar at Rikshospitalet in Oslo View more (Facebook)

By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

Always unblock YouTube

Sultan Qaboos University Hospital: One-day symposium, with different neonatal topics to be discussed. Target attendance is 200-250 nurses, doctors as well as caregivers and parents, such as feasible, cost-effective interventions that would reduce mortality or morbidity. Besides the scientific lectures, there was an exhibition that displayed requirements of preterm babies and methods of care provided to them at the NICU. View more (Facebook)

Fundacja Wczesniak Rodzice-Rodzicom: Public events at some hospitals and poster project I’m a hero: Several poster showing former preterm babies how they are today, wearing a purple hero cape. View more (in Polish)

Associacao Pais Prematuros: A conference on Prematurity was held in Porto on 12 November; discussing relationship of affection between State, medicine and family; lighting of the Tower of Clerics, and visits of several clinics. In Guimarães, the neonatology unit was visited and there was a snack in the unit. In Funchal, a symposium was held on the theme of Challenges of Prematurity at the university, a snack at the neonatology unit of Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital and lighting of several monuments on Madeira.

XSS – Portuguese Association for the Support of Premature Baby: Organisation of the 1st National Congress on Prematurity; Participation in the Neonatology Days (XLV Jornadas de Neonatologia) in Lisbon talking on Parents and prematurity; XXS is on TVI’s morning talk about Prematurity; Facebook call Go Purple with XXS and share on your account; Launch of the fundraising campaign XXS – XXL, Small in Size, Big in Mission (XXS -XXL, Pequeno no Tamanho, Grande na Missao) with the goal to provide all the 20 NICUS in the country with the necessary equipment to promote bonding between parents and premature babies View more (Facebook)

Centro Hospitalar do Algarve-Faro: A conference on World Prematurity Day for everyone; a meeting with the parents and babies with fun activities for all; An exposition in the hospital about prematurety that stays the all week; Press release and a statement in the hospital website View more (Facebook)

Hospital de Braga: Celebration for parents, health care professional and patients; Distribution of a press release.

Unu si Unu: Informative presentations and discussions in Bukarest’s emergency hospital View more (Romanian)

Baby Care Sibiu: Big show at the GONG theatre in Sibiu with lots of dance and music performances View more (Facebook)

Give Sunshine: Workshop devoted to World Pramaturity Day on 26 October; Family Day on 17 November with release of white balloons View more (Facebook)

Pravo na Chudo: An photo flashmob is announced on facebook. At WPDs evening a big ceremony with representatives of the health ministry and the commissary for childrens’ rights at Moscow’s cinema is celebrated. Last but not least several events in perinatal centres with entertainment for kids and time for exchange betweent medical staff and parents are organised. View more (Facebook)

King Fahad Medical City: Illumination of the Kingdom Tower; Special program for NICU graduates (Premature babies from 2013 and their parents to celebrate World Prematurity Day; Decoration of the ward with socksline

Mali Div (Little Giants): Public day for preemie families in cooperation with the instutute of neonatology in Belgrade, capital of Serbia; Two cities of Serbia had purple ilumminations on their famous buildings – Parlament of Serbia in Belgrade, and the local city house of Subotica; Production of a new video on WPD, as every year.  

By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

Always unblock YouTube

Malicek: Trnava’s city administration and the medieval castle of Zvolen lighted up in purple; Huge exhibition with Little Heroes campaign, showing former preterm infants in the NICU and today. View more (Facebook)

Dräger South Africa: They hosted a day together with the companies Abbvie, Masimo, and Viking for about 70 medical professionals that work in the NICU both doctors and nurses in the public and private hospitals. It was truly a successful day, where the feedback was phenomenal and the guest speakers were very informative.

Dr Harry Surtie Hospital: Fundraising activities including a cake sale and a fun walk with about 90 participants; photo exhibition supported by the photographer Anena Burger in the hospital; tea for mothers with ex-preterm infants; movie show for the mothers and free popcorn; a lot of media attention

APREM: Lightning of the famous Palacio de Cibeles, the residence of the city administration, in Madrid on the occasion of World Prematurity Day; Event at the university hospital La Paz to discuss the public health impact of preterm birth; Illumination of the city hall in Pamplona View more (Spanish)

PREMATURE HOSPITAL CLÍNIC-MATERNITAT (ASPREM-HCM): Create awareness on the importance of prematurity and how to deal with this situation from and integrative approach.

Hospital Universitario General de Catalunya – Quiron Salud: Exhibitions, family day, conferences for parents with about 250 participants

Prematura: Public event to raise awareness in several hospitals in Madrid and Barcelona; Family Day in Barcelona; Conference on Prematurity at the Monte Principe Hospital in Madrid

Svenska Prematurförbundet: A short filnm on the beginning: different children, different parents but often the same journey. View more (Facebook)

By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

Always unblock YouTube

PEARL in collaboration with the University of Örebro: Lighting of the water tower in Örebro, the Swedish Mushroom View more

Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois CHUV: CHUV organised a live broadcast between two university hospitals, the Institut de Nutrition et de Santé de l’Enfant des CHU de DONKA, in Conakry, Guinea and the Neonatology Department of CHUV, in Lausanne, Switzerland. This was a very symbolic activity which connected two continents, two countries, two hospitals, two neonatology units, but with the same common goal.

Doris Mollel Foundation: Doris Mollel Foundation in cooperation with Vodacom Foundation: Awareness campaign on the island Zanzibar including a wide media and social network collaboration; production of an awareness song with volunteers; blood donation event; Walk for Preemies; planting trees; Donation campaign to finance oxygen concentrators, suction machines and other facilities and equipment. View more

Community Partners International: Lecture for healthcare professionals on the care of preterm infants; award ceremony for the Mae Tao Clinic their outstanding care for premature babies; distribution of World Prematurity Day shirts View more (Facebook)

Premature Bebek (El Bebek Gül Bebek): Lighting of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge in Istanbul; Light up purple for preterms is given a large space in main media newspapers; Before World Prematurity Day, the president of EBGB gave an interview on CNNTURK in order to raise awareness. View more (Facebook)

Small and Mighty Babies: Walk or Jog on Palm Jumeirah; Prizes; Preparation of goody bags for Families in NICU

BLISS: Bliss charity appeals for funds on the most important day for preterm babies in the year with a video message: as not every preemie gets the care he or she desperately needs and deserves, Bliss calls for action for high quality family-centred care for every child. View more (Facebook)

Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse: Illumination of the Everyman theatre purple to show support.

North Middlesex University Hospital: Cake and knitted garments sale in the entrance foyer of the hospital to raise funds for parent support groups on the Neonatal Unit. Staff weared purple to help raise awareness. Finally, photos on display of preterm infants. View more (Facebook)

The Rosie Hospital: Decoration of the ward and cake sell during the day on Nicu; staff and parents were encouraged to wear purple; Illumation of various buildings in cambridgshire; invitation only reception for families involved in the photo exhibition featuring ex-Nicu babies holding photographs of when they were in NICU. This gave them the opportunity to meet with staff who cared for them. View more (Facebook)

Early Birds: Famous artist Kseniya Simonova designed an artwork made of sand which tells the experience of a preterm birth in a vivid and aesthetic way; Lighting, reportages, family meetings, consultations, payers, exchibitions, conferences and congresses, kids parties with release of balloons. View more (Facebook)

By loading the post, you agree to Facebook's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load post

Always unblock Facebook posts

Ranenko: Public day in Kiev in the Mayor’s House with 1,200 participants: professional, industries and families. Preterms with special latents showed their programme on the stage and meantime there were different activities for the children in the hall; Nine professionals answered questions of parents on breastfeeding, physical therapy, phycological issues etc.; Purple lighting together with Charity Foundation Svichado and UBB on Sofievska square; fundraising campaign for four Ukrainian clinics; Additionally ten further cities joined WPD celebration with a variety of events. View more (Ukrainian)

AUPAREM: Conference at the government palace on a very important topic: the initiative aiming at the realisation of an extended parental leave for parents after birth of a preterm baby is discussed. View more (Facebook)

Hand to Hold: Hand to Hold launched an appealing social media campaign I love someone who was born premature! View more (Facebook)

Council of International Neonatal Nurses (COINN): Social media and online campaig to raise awareness. View more (Facebook)

Graham’s Foundation: Social media campaign – Graham’s Foundation asked parents to describe their preemies in one word. All 500 responses are represented in a poster. View more (Facebook)

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center: Clinic staff hung a banner, made cupcakes with purple icing, had giftbags for parents, and many of them wear purple to mark the date. The day ended with a meeting on family-centred care.

March of Dimes: Lighting of Empire State Building and more than 70 other iconic buildings in 28 states throughout the USA; Go Purple Challenge – Internal contest for MOD employees at national and regional offices with prices for best individual and best team – dress in purple, wear purple wigs, decorate your office, eat purple food, utilise purple signage; Nannequinchallenge at MOD headquater View more

By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

Always unblock YouTube

Preeclampsia Foundation: Call to spread the word and tell the own personal story. The Preeclampsia Foundation invited users to share their prematurity stories and photos in the comments. View more (Facebook)

USAID’s flagship Maternal and Child Survival Program: Social media campaign to raise awareness. View more (Facebook)

Special Thanks

to the EFCNI premium and silver partners AbbVie, Natus, Nestlé Nutrition, Philips Avent and Shire for supporting the creation of the campaign poster for World Prematurity Day 2016.

We warmly thank our partner organisations for helping us with the translation of the poster template. Special thanks to Professor Mats Blennow, Dr Morten Breindahl, Dr Chao-Huei Chen, Wakako Elklund, Professor Pierre Kuhn, Professor Ola D. Saugstad, Dr Amanda Smildzere and Dr Mohammed Reza Zarkesh.

We thank the company COMEO for the design and their valuable support.