The Empire State Building towers will light purple today in honor of the third annual World Prematurity Day. Parent groups and organizations worldwide are joining together to raise awareness of the serious problem of premature birth. An estimated 15 million babies around the world are born too soon every year, including nearly half a million in the United States. Learn more about what you can do to help, and send your family and friends a “virtual hug” to show you care about premature babies at facebook.com/WorldPrematurityDay. Special thanks to the Empire State Building for supporting 2013 World Prematurity Day.

Empire State Building glows purple for March Of Dime's World Prematurity Day (photo courtesy: Empire State Building/twitter)

In 2013, the March of Dimes celebrates its 75th Anniversary and its ongoing work to help babies get a healthy start in life. Early research led to the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines that all babies still receive. Other breakthroughs include new treatments for premature infants and children with birth defects. About 4 million babies are born each year in the United States, and all have benefitted from the March of Dimes life saving research and education.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.