(Louisville, KY, November 8, 2005) - During November — Prematurity Awareness Month — Louisville's skyline will be lit up in pink and blue to symbolize hope for premature babies and their families. Louisville Gas and Electric Company, and its building management company, Jones Lange LaSalle, will help the March of Dimes bring awareness to the growing problem of premature birth during November - Prematurity Awareness Month with pink and blue lights and the Prematurity Awareness Day press conference.

Twenty-five women will stand in a figure 9 on the patio of the LG&E building at the press conference to endorse the March of Dimes theme "I Want My 9 Months." Every year in Kentucky, 1 in 7 babies are born prematurely. On behalf of the unborn babies in the Kentuckiana area, these women are proclaiming the importance of 9 months in the womb.

The press conference will be held Tuesday, November 8 at 10:00 a.m. on the outside patio of the LG&E building, located at 220 W. Main St. In case of bad weather, the press conference will be held in the north lobby of the LG&E building. The photo-op of the figure 9 will immediately follow the press conference. The media will also have the opportunity to interview parents of babies that were born prematurely - every story is evidence of the problem of prematurity and its toll on families and the community. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Family Services, Mary Gwen will be present from the Mayor's office to proclaim November 15 Prematurity Awareness Day in Louisville Metro.

Babies are in crisis today. Nearly half a million are born prematurely every year and the number is rising. Premature birth is the number one killer of newborns and a major cause of serious health problems. It costs society billions of dollars every year. That is why the March of Dimes has designated November as Prematurity Awareness Month.

"Premature birth is a growing problem in our country," said Dr. David Adamkin, March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign Chair. "Pink and blue lights on the LG&E building, symbolize our efforts to send a message of hope for premature babies and their families, as well as call attention to the crisis," he added.

"We hope this gesture — changing the color of the lights on the top of the LG&E building — will help build awareness about this serious issue," said Laura Douglas, Director of Communications at LG&E.

The March of Dimes is leading a national effort to save babies from premature birth by funding research to find the causes and by supporting programs that offer hope and help to families with a baby in intensive care. As part of that effort, the March of Dimes wants women to know there are steps they can take to reduce their risk of premature birth. Visit marchofdimes.com and click on "I want my 9 months" to learn more.

Dr. Adamkin said, "For Prematurity Awareness Day in November, or any time, please visit marchofdimes.com and find out what you can do for pink and blue to help prevent premature birth. You can help by wearing pink and blue, raising awareness with wristbands and ribbons, sending e-mails and letters, and donating to research."

The March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign has been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. American Baby magazine and Working Mother Media are national media sponsors. More than 46 professional and consumer organizations have become Campaign alliance members, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Hospital Association and the American Public Health Association. Nationally, Prematurity Campaign sponsors include CIGNA, FedEx, and the Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute; and national Prematurity Awareness Month sponsors include First Response, Arm & Hammer Oral Care and Ther-Rx. In the Greater Kentucky Chapter, Prematurity Campaign sponsors are: Floyd Memorial Hospital and Central Baptist Hospital.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org.