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New York Mets Baseball Fans Knit Caps to Help Newborn Babies Survive
Stitch N' Pitch Event Will Take Place at Shea Stadium in New York on Thursday, September 25
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A newborn baby wears a cap donated by Save the Children. |
NEW YORK, NY (Sept. 23, 2008) — Newborn babies in Africa and Asia next year will be sporting blue and orange baby caps to keep them warm, thanks to the efforts of New York Mets baseball fans this Thursday night.
It's part of the National NeedleArts Association's Stitch N' Pitch event at New York's Shea Stadium on Thursday evening.
Baseball lovers are invited to bring their favorite knitting needles, and will be given balls of blue and orange yarn and a pattern to make a baby cap for Knit One, Save One, a grassroots effort launched by Save the Children and the Warm Up America Foundation.
The initiative aims to draw attention to the 4 million newborns in developing countries who die each year in the first month of life — half of these deaths occur in the first 24 hours.
Participants also are encouraged to write a personal note to the President-elect urging him to lead the way to save millions of babies globally.
Early next year, Save the Children will take the notes to Washington, D.C. The caps will be distributed to pregnant women and new moms and their babies in Save the Children's programs globally.
To download a Knit One, Save One Action Kit, go to http://www.savethechildren.org/knitonesaveone
"Knit One, Save One" is a grassroots initiative of Save the Children and the Warm Up America Foundation. The project seeks to engage knitters and crocheters to take action for the 4 million babies who die each year within the first month of life in poor countries.
Research shows that 60 percent of the 4 million newborn deaths that occur each year could be prevented if mothers and children in poor countries had access to a simple package of health measures. This package includes antibiotics to fight infections, immunizations against tetanus, training for skilled birth attendants, education on breastfeeding and basic care such as keeping a baby — even those born in hot climates — warm with a knit cap. America's leaders could save millions of newborn lives by increasing international assistance for programs that offer these inexpensive life-saving tools.
