POINT PLEASANT — Point Pleasant Mayor Brian Billings signed a proclamation Tuesday morning recognizing November as Prematurity Awareness Month. The document also proclaims Nov. 17, 2009, as Prematurity Awareness day in the City of Point Pleasant.

Terry Eller, Community Director for the March of Dimes, provided information that stated prematurity is the number one cause of death during the first month of life. Even babies born just a few weeks too soon can face serious health challenges and are at risk for long disabilities.

By making November an awareness month and showing support for the cause, attention can be focused on the impact that premature birth has on babies and families.

Mayor Billings encourages all citizens to join in this awareness.

According to March of Dimes, more than half a million babies are born too soon in our country each year. So are so small, they struggle to survive. March of Dimes gives babies a fighting chance.

The March of Dimes is on e of the best-known charities in the country and is the leading organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more information, visit www.marchofdimes.com/fightforpreemies.