World Prematurity Day: BayArena lit up in purple

World Prematurity Day on 17 November highlights premature births and their consequences all over the world. "For many years, we have had a partnership with the Klinikum Leverkusen and we want to show our solidarity with the doctors, nurses and parents of the premature babies born at the clinic," said Meinolf Sprink, director of fans/community at Bayer 04.

every tenth child born prematurely

Even though the chances of survival are good these days due to medical advances, many families continue to be confronted by the challenge of premature birth: Every year in Germany, over 60,000 children are born too early. That means every tenth child is born from the 37th week of pregnancy. These numbers ensure that children born prematurely are the largest patient group amongst children in Germany.

The idea of lighting up buildings across the world (Purple for Preemies) originally came from the American organisation March of Dimes and has grown increasingly popular. In addition to the BayArena in Germany, the castle in Heidelberg and the tower block at the Charité hospital in Berlin are also illuminated in purple.

Klinikum Leverkusen: 1,600 births per year

The Klinikum Leverkusen is the main centre caring for premature births for the hospitals in the city and the surrounding Bergisches Land and with 1,600 births per year is amongst the most experienced maternity hospitals in the region. Last year, a total of 345 premature births were treated at the Klinikum Leverkusen.