WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., NOV. 12, 2005 -- Professional athletes are known for being big and tough. But this month, the players for some of America’s roughest and toughest professional sports teams will be showing their gentler sides to help save the tiniest babies.

Members of the Buffalo Sabres, the Oklahoma City Blazers, the Denver Nuggets, the Colorado Avalanche, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Seattle Seahawks are among those nationwide helping the March of Dimes raise awareness about the crisis of premature birth during the third annual Prematurity Awareness Day in November.

Nearly a half million babies are born prematurely each year, and premature birth is the number one killer of newborns. Those who survive often face lifelong disabilities such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and other neurological conditions. In addition, prematurity costs our nation $18 billion annually in hospitalization expenses. That’s why the March of Dimes has designated November as Prematurity Awareness Month and is seeking to bring the American people together to help give all babies their full 9 months of pregnancy.

Among the events this month:

On November 13, the March of Dimes Colorado Chapter will announce that Denver Nuggets basketball star Kenyon Martin, the father of three premature children, has agreed to serve as the organization’s Honorary Ambassador. During the game, which begins at 7 p.m. (Mountain Time) at the Pepsi Center, Martin will be greeted on the court by several children who were born premature and who will present him with a gift.

On November 14, during the Colorado Avalanche hockey game at the Pepsi Center, March of Dimes volunteers will distribute free health materials and hand out pink-and-blue Awareness Bands to attendees. Face-off for the game is at 7:00 p.m. (Mountain Time).

The Pepsi Center has been adorned with a 20-foot lighted pink-and-blue ribbon to draw attention to the ongoing problem of premature birth. For more information about Colorado events, contact Becky Herlinger at the March of Dimes Colorado Chapter at 303-692-0011, ext.312.

On November 15, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts will be lit pink and blue in honor of Prematurity Awareness Day. For more information, contact Carrie Fuller at the March of Dimes Massachusetts Chapter at 508-329-2811.

On November 17, the Buffalo Sabres hockey team will host Pink and Blue Night at HSBC Arena. The March of Dimes will present the organization with an award for its ongoing support over many years at a ceremony during the first intermission of the 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) game. Pink and blue awareness bands will be handed out to the first 5,000 fans. Also on November 15, Niagara Falls will be lit pink and blue. For more information, contact Jeff Bernacki at the March of Dimes Upstate New York Chapter at 716-691-3805, ext. 202.

On November 18, the Oklahoma City Blazers will host "March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness Night" at the Cox Convention Center. Every 8th person will receive a pin that lights up pink and blue – to signify that 1 in every 8 babies is born premature nationwide. The Oklahoma Ambassador Family will make a ceremonial toss of the puck. The game is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. (Central Time). For more information, contact Belinda Rogers at the March of Dimes Oklahoma Chapter at 405-943-1025 ext. 18.

For the week November 15, Qwest Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks, will be lit in pink and blue to draw attention to the problem of premature birth. On November 15, Joe Jurevicius, whose son died of a genetic disorder when he was only 10 weeks old, and Andre Dyson, who was born premature, weighing only 1 pound, 9 ounces, will tell their personal stories.

In the months of November and December during the home football games, the Seahawks will play a March of Dimes public service announcement featuring the two players. For more information, contact Valorie Fanger at the March of Dimes Washington Chapter at 206-624-1373, extension 18.

The November 30 Cleveland Cavaliers basketball game at Quicken Loans Arena will recognize Prematurity Awareness Month. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). For more information, contact Sheryl Markowitz at the March of Dimes Ohio Chapter at 216-518-1663, extension 24.