NEW YORK, MAY 17 -- Six top television journalists, including Gretchen Carlson and Laurie Hibberd from CBS's Saturday Early Show and The Early Show, Soledad O'Brien from CNN's American Morning, Sam Ryan from ESPN/ABC Sports, Melissa Stark from NBC's Today Show, and Michelle Miller from BET Nightly News, are posing this week with their children for a special “pink and blue” fashion spread for Family Circle's November 8 issue to raise awareness of the growing crisis of premature birth.  The feature will provide information and highlight ways that people can help, using the theme, “Find Out What You Can Do Pink & Blue.”

“Prematurity is the number one health risk facing America's newborns,” said Susan Ungaro, editor in chief of Family Circle and a member of the March of Dimes National Communications Advisory Council.  “We know that, with half a million babies being born prematurely each year, many of our readers have been touched by this important issue and thought it was vital for Family Circle to focus on it.”

In January 2003, the March of Dimes launched a multi-year Prematurity Campaign to generate awareness and to raise funds for research to find answers to this growing problem.  All of the participating women have been serving as celebrity volunteers for the March of Dimes and are involved in the Prematurity Campaign.  Laurie Hibberd's daughter, Misha, age 1, was born five weeks early, spending 10 days in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

“We're thrilled to have these wonderful women continue to offer their time and talents to help spread the word and ensure a healthy birth for every baby and its family,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes.  “Building awareness of the crisis of prematurity and educating families is crucial to the success of our campaign and we thank Family Circle for bringing attention to it.”

To help draw national attention and awareness, the March of Dimes has designated the third Tuesday of November as Prematurity Awareness Day.  November 15, 2005 will mark the third annual Prematurity Awareness Day.  This year's event will include a rally with landmarks throughout the country to be lit in pink and blue.

With 23 million readers, Family Circle is America's best selling women's magazine.