Mexican singer and actress Thalía joined the initiative of international stars such as Celine Dion, Pink and photographer Anne Geddes to raise awareness about the risks of premature births.
The celebrities are part of the March of Dimes campaign to help improve the health of babies and will join the Nov 17 observance of the third annual World Prematurity Day, the charitable organization said Monday in a statement.
Thalía recorded a message in English and Spanish that is being distributed worldwide and in which she asks for help to put an end to premature births.
“As the mother of two small children, there is nothing closer to my heart than the health of our babies. Therefore, today I’m asking you for help to end premature births”, the singer said.
More than 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide each year and more than a million die as a result of their early birth, according to the March of Dimes.
The campaign also provides the possibility of sending a ‘virtual hug’ through the social networks to relatives and friends to show that people are concerned about premature babies.
In the United States, although the rate of premature births has fallen over the past six years, more than 450,000 babies are born before coming to full term each year, the March of Dimes said.