Dear Editor:

November is Prematurity Awareness Month because in the U.S. today one in eight babies is born prematurely, including an average of 173 babies each week in South Carolina.

Millions of babies face serious health challenges or have trouble learning in school because they were born too soon. In fact, more newborns die from premature birth than any other cause.

It's time for us to do more to help moms have healthy full-term babies. Join the March of Dimes in urging the new president, Congress, federal and state policy makers and the business and health care communities to move us forward in helping moms have healthy, fullterm babies.

Visit the March of Dimes web site and sign the Petition for Preemies urging our elected officials and business and health care leaders to help us make progress in preventing premature births. Together we can find the answers. Solutions are within our grasp. Please visit marchofdimes.com/petition today.

Kathy Shugart