INTERNATIONAL FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME DAY
09/09/09

In South Africa an estimated 25 000 babies are born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) each year. This is the highest reported incidence of FAS anywhere in the world. FAS is a preventable, hidden disability caused by the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. It is also the cause of stunted growth, severe mental disabilities and aberrant behaviour.

International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Day is held each year at nine minutes past nine on the ninth day of the ninth month (09.09am on the 09/09/09), to draw attention to the fact that women should not drink alcohol for the duration of their pregnancy. Across the different time zones of the world, bells ring out to raise the awareness of this preventable condition.

This year, on 9 September 2009, 90 schools in the Northern, Western and Eastern Cape will participate in the FASfacts International FAS Day campaign. FASfacts is a Non-Governmental Organisation working to educate and raise awareness on FAS. The 2009 FASfacts school campaign has been funded by SA Breweries (SAB), in support of children being born without FAS. FASfacts has also teamed up with the Jag Foundation to run the FAS Day Campaign in 25 of the schools where they currently run their “Mighty Metres” Campaign - www.jagfoundation.org.za.

FACTS

• An estimated 25 000 babies are born with FAS every year in South Africa.
• South Africa has the highest frequency of FAS reported in one population anywhere in the world.
• The prevalence of FAS in countries such as America varies from 0.1 to 0.8%, whereas in South Africa FAS is as high as 12.2% in some areas.
• The prevalence rate of Fetal Alcohol Exposure is far higher than the recorded FAS rate (between three to five times higher.) The consequence thereof is that is staggering total of up to 72% of Grade 1 learners in certain areas have permanent brain damage due the prenatal alcohol exposure. Tragic but true.
• FAS is the largest cause of mental retardation in most industrial nations.
• FAS is found amongst all races and across all socio-economic groups.
• Alcohol during pregnancy, regardless of quantity, can cause permanent brain damage.
• FAS is 100% preventable.
• There is no cure for FAS.

EVENT

FASfacts, together with XXX, will host a media event at Groenheuwel Primary, near Paarl. WC Premier Helen Zille has confirmed her attendance as the guest speaker to raise further awareness around FAS.

In attendance:

FASfacts CEO: Francois Grobbelaar

Mayor of Paarl: Charmaine Manuel

ABOUT FASfacts

FASfacts aims to educate the public about the effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy on the unborn baby. FASfacts has been active in the Cape Wine Lands District Municipality area, the Overberg, Swartland and the West Coast in the Western Cape, as well as the Upington district in the Northern Cape. Its prevention campaigns target learners in Grades 6, 7, 10 and 11, farm workers, communities, shebeen owners and informal distributors. Since 2006, FASfacts has reached over 12 000 learners, 2000 adults and, since 2008, 327 shebeen owners. FASfacts was established in 2002 by Francois Grobbelaar. For further information on FASfacts log on to: www.fasfacts.org.za

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

Tracy Jones Beverley Houston

084 441 441 4 082 824 8617

tracy@positivedialogue.co.za     beverley@mediaspot.co.za