The March of Dimes has an urgent need for books to be included in backpacks given to Wyoming families with babies in the NICU.  Reading is one of the most important things you can do with your child. New research suggests that early reading contributes to brain development. When you have a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), it is a way to bond and connect.  Help support these families and early literacy by bringing new children’s books to Bank of the West, 300 S. Wolcott in Casper by Nov. 30.

In Wyoming, one out of every nine babies is born too small or too soon. Many times, these babies need to be urgently transported to a hospital in Colorado for intensive care. When this occurs, parents don’t have time to make necessary arrangements or to get supplies they may need during their baby’s hospital stay.  The March of Dimes backpack program provides backpacks filled with everyday items to these parents to help provide a little relief during a very difficult time.

Premature birth is the most urgent infant health problem in the U.S. today. It affects more than half a million babies each year. The March of Dimes is committed to funding research to find the answers to problems that continue to threaten the lives and the health of babies. Funds raised help support prenatal wellness programs, research grants, NICU family support programs and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies.

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