BayArena to be lit up on Saturday

From 17.00 to 22.00 CET on Saturday, the Werkself home ground will be lit up in magenta. World Prematurity Day on 17 November again raises the issue of premature birth and its consequences worldwide. "We have worked in partnership  with the Klinikum Leverkusen for many years and we'd like to show our solidarity with the doctors, nurses and parents of premature children," said Meinolf Sprink, fan and community affairs director at Bayer 04.

There are around 65,000 premature births in Germany each year. That means one in ten births are premature and premature babies form the largest section of child patients in Germany. However, advances in medicine have increased survival rates amongst premature births including those born more than four months early with a birth weight of less than 500 grammes. The Klinikum is the main centre for the care of premature babies among hospitals in Leverkusen and im Bergisches Land and with 1,600 births per year is one of the most experienced maternity hospitals in the region.

The idea of lighting up of buildings all over the world (Purple for Preemies) originally came from the American Organisation March of Dimes and is growing in terms of exposure and need. In addition to the BayArena, Heidelberg Castle  and the Bettenhochhaus tower block at the Charité in Berlin will also be lit up in magenta.