
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.

Centre-back Melissa Friedrich is set to remain at Bayer 04 for another year. The longest-serving player in the squad, who joined the club in 2016, has extended her contract to 2027.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Portugal U21 international Afonso Moreira. The 21-year-old winger joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique Lyon on a contract to 30 June 2031. In France last year, the left-winger made 37 appearances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa League, scoring a total of eight goals and providing eleven assists.
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A warm welcome to Leverkusen, Afonso Moreira! Bayer 04 have signed the 21-year-old Portuguese player from the top-flight French club Lyon. The left-winger has signed a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2031. Bayer04.de takes a closer look at the new signing.
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From his arrival at the airport, the medical and contract signing, right through to photo shoots, his very own trading card and his first interview at the BayArena: Werkself TV followed new signing Afonso Moreira up close on his first day in Leverkusen. In the interview, the 21-year-old Portuguese left-winger, who has joined the Werkself from Lyon, talks about his excitement ahead of joining Bayer 04 and the Bundesliga, as well as his conversation with head coach Carles Martínez. Moreira also reveals the secret behind his iconic goal celebration – which he intends to perform “as often as possible” at the BayArena next season...
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