MEDIA ADVISORY - PREGNANT PAUSE TO RECOGNIZE INTERNATIONAL FASD AWARENESS DAY

TORONTO, Sept. 9 /CNW/ -

WHO:	TORONTO FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS NETWORK & FASworld
WHAT:	PREGNANT PAUSE TO RECOGNIZE FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Syndrome) AWARENESS DAY

Pregnant Pause, in recognition of International FASD Awareness Day will see a large gathering of men and women dressed up to look 'pregnant' and observe 99 seconds of 'frozen' silence to remind everyone that it is best to stop drinking before trying to get pregnant, when trying to conceive and as soon as you know you are pregnant. The pause is strategically placed on the 9^th month of the 9^th hour of the 9^th minute to symbolize that during the nine months of a women's pregnancy no amount of alcohol is a safe amount. 

WHERE:	Southwest corner of Bloor Street West and Avenue Road, (Outside of the Royal Ontario Museum)
WHEN:	Thursday, September 9 at 9:09 a.m.
	* Following the Pregnant Pause there will be opportunities to speak directly to families affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder and spokespersons from FASworld and the Toronto FASD Coordinating Network.
WHY:	Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is irreversible and preventable

In Canada, in incidence of FASD has been estimated to be 9 in 1000 live births. The impact of alcohol during prenatal growth has a wide variety of impacts but can include intellectual deficits and learning disabilities, hyperactivity and damage to the central nervous system.

For further information:

Brian Philcox     President    FASworld Canada       416-264-8000

Catherine Snoddon Communications Coordinator Children's Aid Society of Toronto 416-924-4640 ext. 2074