Paint the Town Purple with the March of Dimes

COURT HOUSE – The March of Dimes South Jersey Shore Division is trying to paint Atlantic and Cape May County residents and businesses purple on Thu., Nov. 17 for World Prematurity Day. They are asking residents and businesses to help them spread the word of premature births by wearing something purple.
Anna Villari, a spokesperson for the division, stated “The birth of a child is something that affects everyone; hopefully it is a joyous occasion. We are encouraging everyone to wear purple on Nov. 17 to honor those who are born too soon.” The March of Dimes South Jersey Division hopes local businesses will also participate by encouraging their staff to wear purple that day. The members of the committee were excitedly talking about how great it would be to go to local businesses and see the staff wearing purple. Dan Freeman, whose daughter was born 10 weeks early, hopes to encourage his fellow workers at the Berkshire Grill in Egg Harbor Township to wear purple ties that night. Shawnda McGinnis plans to wear purple to her job in Ocean City and hopes to persuade her co-workers to also. She continued, “I find it astounding that 1 in 8 babies are born premature in the US.” For McGinnis it hits close to home, she knows 3 children who were born too soon. Michelle DiSanto, chair of Family Teams and Brigantine resident commented, “It would be amazing to come home and see Atlantic City Casinos bathed in purple light. Prematurity has deeply affected my family and on Nov. 17 when I see people wearing purple it will warm my heart to know they care about our tiniest gifts.”
World Prematurity Day was started by the March of Dimes and its global partners to honor the million babies worldwide who died this year because they were born too soon, and the 12 million more who struggle to survive.
To learn more about the how you or your business can participate please call Anna Villari at the March of Dimes, 856-874-9050 or email her at avillari@marchofdimes.com. Stay up-to-date on Facebook, www.facebook.com/MarchforBabiesSJShore.
More information about the March of Dimes can be found at www.marchofdimes.com.