The club is thereby raising attention for an important issue. Every year on 17 November the focus is on premature births and associated implications. 60,000 children are preterm in Germany. That means every tenth child is born before the 37th week of pregnancy. Premature babies are the biggest child patient group in Germany. Even though chances of survival are good these days due to medical progress, many families are still confronted with this issue.
The idea of lighting up individual buildings (Purple for Preemies) originally comes from the American organisation March of Dimes and it is growing in popularity. In addition to the BayArena, other buildings to be bathed in purple include the Empire State Building in New York, the castle in Heidelberg and the Bettenhochhaus ward tower block at the Charité hospital in Berlin.
The Klinikum Leverkusen hospital is also centre stage on World Prematurity Day. Former patients and their parents have been invited to the hospital grounds to meet up for a lantern procession under the motto of 'Purple for Preemies – Lila für Frühchen'. Players from the Bayer 04 Women's team will also be at the procession to raise awareness of the issue.
Klinikum Leverkusen is the main centre for the care of premature babies for the other hospitals and clinics in the city as well as in the Bergisches Land. With around 1,600 births per year it is one of the most experienced maternity hospitals in the region. 345 premature babies were treated there last year. Given the particularly high quality of care, the smallest preterm babies with a birthweight of 500 grammes or less survive. Bayer 04 has been involved in a partnership with the hospital for many years.
The Werkself are away to SC Freiburg on Bundesliga Matchday 32. The penultimate away game of the season is today Sunday, 4 May with a 17:30 CEST kick-off at the Europa Park Stadion. Read on for the latest information in today's matchday news.
Show moreBayer 04 Women claimed victory in their final home game of the season after Cornelia Kramer’s goal first-half proved the difference against RB Leipzig. Her 11th of the campaign also saw the Werkself extend their club record in the first division to 43 points with one match still to play. Three players were given a send-off before the game as they leave for pastures new.
Show moreCould this be the year that Freiburg finally get into the Champions League. They have come close a number of times in recent seasons, but a run of three straight wins has put the Black Forest club in pole position for a historic achievement ahead of Sunday’s Matchday 32 encounter with the Werkself. Here’s all you need to know about our next opponents.
Show moreCharlotte Voll has agreed a two-year extension to her contract at Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The 26-year-old keeper now has a contract to 30 June 2027. The Karlsruhe-born goalkeeper joined the Werkself in the summer of 2023.
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