All around the world
Babies are born early
Too sick
Too small
Too soon
All around the world
Every year
In November
Families
Businesses
Charities
Come together
To tell their stories
Share their experiences
To raise awareness
For World Prematurity Day
15 million babies are born prematurely every year
1 million of these will not survive
Sadly, prematurity is the leading cause of death in children under five
World Prematurity Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of premature birth
And work with partners around the world to prevent it
Here in the UK
Around 60,00 babies are born prematurely each year
Not all of these babies survive
I know that we are very lucky
To have our premature babies with us today
Happy, healthy, alive
Esther and William survived their premature birth
Not without implications
But their issues are minor ones
On the whole they are happy and healthy
They are alive
Born at 27 weeks and 3 days
Weighing 2lb 4oz and 2lb 11oz
I can hardly believe these two
Adventurous
Energetic
Enthusiastic
Loving
Funny
Children are mine
They are each other’s soul mates
And I adore them
I am so grateful for them
I am so proud of all they have come through
All they are
And all in the future they may choose to be
This month
World Prematurity Awareness Month
I will be talking all things Esther and William
And through them
Their courage and spirit
Their story
Raising awareness of prematurity
And life after premature birth
Our Small Wonders
For more information about World Prematurity Day
Please look at this page from Bliss