Community Recognizes National Premature Awareness Day

Nearly ten-thousand babies are born prematurely each year in northeast Louisiana. Friday, an event is raising awareness for that problem. Supporters gathered at Noe Park in Monroe for an event celebrating National Premature Awareness Day. Speakers included Mayor Jamie Mayo, doctors from Saint Francis hospital, and the March of Dimes organization. One family shared the emotional story of their triplets that were born at 32 weeks. Saint Francis Hospital says partnership with groups like the march of dimes are helping solve the problem on premature births.

"Our goal is that with working with the March of Dimes, our obstetricians, Saint Francis, and the community we can bring focus to the awareness of taking care of yourself when you're pregnant," says Kayla Thompson of Saint Francis.

Purple and white balloons were released signaling an end to the event. November is National Premature Awareness Month.

For more information on the March of Dimes click here.