Note: You are welcome to translate this into the appropriate language(s) for your constituents. We hope this template letter provides a starting point.

[insert partner logo, or place on organization letterhead]Dear supporter/volunteer/ [name],I’m writing to let you know about the fifth annual World Prematurity Day, and to ask for your help.Premature birth is the leading cause of death in children under 5 worldwide. And babies who make it often face a lifetime of medical setbacks. As a supporter of [name of partner organization], I know firsthand that premature babies aren't just small. In my case, [insert personal story].Critical research is the key to identifying the causes of premature birth so that we can better prevent it. And funding is vital to bringing effective, medical interventions to all the places where they are needed.

Raising awareness of premature birth is the first step to defeating it. Please help me and [name of partner organization] spread the word.Please join the global community at facebook.com/worldprematurityday and be sure to tag the World Prematurity Day page in your Facebook posts by typing @WorldPrematurityDay. On Twitter, use the hashtag #worldprematurityday. I am including some sample messages at the bottom of this [letter/email]. You also can email friends and family members to tell them about World Prematurity Day, and include a link to the World Prematurity Day Facebook page so they can see different ways to get involved. Thank you in advance for your help. And please don’t hesitate to contact me at [email address/ home number] with any questions. Sincerely, [Your Name]

Facebook Premature birth is the leading cause of death in children under 5

worldwide. World Prematurity Day aims to change that. Click to “like” @worldprematurityday and join us.

Did you know that more babies die from premature birth than from better-known health problems like malaria and AIDS? “Like” @worldprematurityday and find out how you can help.

Every year, nearly 1 million babies die because they were born prematurely, and thousands of these deaths can be prevented. “Like” @worldprematurityday and find out how you can help.

Twitter Help more babies make it to their first birthday: http://on.fb.me/j8AcLi

#worldprematurityday

What if you could help save a baby’s life? You can: http://on.fb.me/j8AcLi #worldprematurityday

Nearly one million premature babies die each year. Join us in getting these babies the help they need: http://on.fb.me/j8AcLi #worldprematurityday