Richard A. Gerentine, Chairman of the Ulster County Legislature, has proclaimed November 16, 2004 as Prematurity Awareness Day in Ulster County.

Premature birth now affects one in eight babies in America and the incidence of this serious problem is rising dramatically, up 29 percent in the last 20 years.

It is the leading cause of newborn death and among babies who survive, and it can be a cause of serious lifelong health problems.

Premature birth takes an enormous toll on families and costs society billions of dollars.

The March of Dimes, who conquered polio, is now bringing citizens together to fight the crisis of premature birth.