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An Annual Cross-Canada Celebration
Did you know that May 28th is National Multiple Births Awareness Day? Established in 2005 by Multiple Births Canada, this date has been designated as the day for raising national awareness of the unique issues faced by multiple-birth individuals and their families. The date is symbolic as it is the birth date of the Dionne quintuplets, who have helped Canadians to better understand the challenges faced by Canada’s multiple-birth community.
As well as educating others, National Multiple Births Awareness Day provides a venue to unite and celebrate our personal journeys as parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, spouses, daycare and service providers, educators, and health professionals supporting Canada’s multiple-birth community.
Ideas and information on how to celebrate are detailed below.
2010 Theme:
"Canada's EI Parental Leave must reflect the needs
of multiple-birth infants."
Last year Multiple Births Canada invited input on potential themes for National Multiple Births Awareness Day. We chose the 2009 theme based on information collected from an online survey and other communications. We also earmarked another theme receiving many positive comments as a potential focus for 2010. That theme is one requiring the partnership of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (SOGC). In conversations with Dr. Barrett, MBC Advisory Board member, and Dr. Lalonde of the SOGC, it has been determined that MBC should postpone using the Consensus Statement on the Management of Twin Deliveries as a National Multiple Births Awareness Day theme until it has gone through a review. The Board then began discussing other potential options.
The Board is pleased to announce the theme for National Multiple Births Awareness Day 2010: Canada's EI Parental Leave must reflect the needs of multiple-birth infants.
Strategies identified as potential opportunities to communicate the message to our key publics are:
- A rally on the lawn of Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday afternoon, May 28th
- Local rallies in front of MP’s offices across Canada also on Friday afternoon, May 28th
- A call for expectant parents of multiples to both apply for EI Parental Leave
- A call for all supporters to send a letter to Human Resources and Social Development Canada
The communications plan is now complete. Details have recently been sent to Chapters and non-member multiple-birth groups.
A National Multiple Births Awareness Day media and awareness kit has been posted below and is accessible for download along with a Community Celebration planner and a t-shirt/cake template.
Once Chapters have confirmed their celebration plans, please let the Business Office know at office@multiplebirthscanada.org we can help spread the word of your plans, on the MBC website. In response to dialogue with Chapters wishing to keep the Awareness celebrations and events on weekends, the MBC Board of Directors has designated the 4th week of May—during which May 28th falls—as National Multiple Births Awareness Week. This way there are two weekends to choose from May 22-23 and May 29-30.
Multiple Births Canada will contact national media directly; however it is equally important that MBC members, Chapters and non-member groups do their part to connect with media in their local communities.
Important documents for 2010 NMBAD theme
Celebration Ideas and Planning Information
Here are some resources used annually by MBC in celebrating National Multiple Births Awareness Day!
(This page was last updated - May 4, 2010)
A 2010 Calendar of Activities
A 2010 Calendar of Activities listing various events happening across the country to mark National Multiple Births Awareness Day is found below. Check back regularly as we past more details and more events as we approach our special awareness day!
Simcoe County Parents of Multiples
(formerly Barrie Parents of Twins and More)
Celebrating with a playgroup and mini-rally
Saturday, May 29th, 2010
10:00am - 2:00pm
Minet's Point Playground, Barrie
Families will be celebrating by sharing a special time with friends and members over snacks and lots of fun! A petition will be available to sign regarding this year's theme. We are expecting Patrick Brown to attend so we can present him with the petition.
RSVP to bulletwin@hotmail.com or 705-733-3022
Durham Parents of Multiples
Multiple Births Awareness Day Swimming Party
Saturday, May 29th, 2010
4:00 - 6:30pm
Legends Centre, Oshawa
DPOM members will be celebrating in recognition of Multiple Births Awareness Day 2010 with a swimming party at the Legends Centre in Oshawa. This event is complimentary for DPOM members. Swim during our private pool party, enjoy door prizes, face painting, and a light dinner served in the party room.
durhamparentsofmultiples@yahoo.com
www.durhamparentsofmultiples.com
Edmonton Twin and Triplet Club
ETTC Zoo Day in May & Multiples Awareness Day
When: Saturday May 29, 2010
Time: 10 am (if you come later you’ll be responsible for your own admission).
Refreshments & cake at the Sheltered Picnic Area which we have rented from 11a.m. – 1p.m.
City of Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel is scheduled to attend our event from 12-12:30
Where: Edmonton Valley Zoo 13315 Buena Vista Road Northwest Edmonton, AB
Parents of multiple birth children are invited to this fun, family oriented event to get together & celebrate “Multiples Awareness Day". This will be a chance to visit with some multiple birth families you may already know and/or meet some new ones.
Registration Deadline: May 10, 2010
Cost (Members): Free (Max. 2 adults)
Cost (Non-Member families with multiple births [i.e. twins, triplets, etc.]): Child $4, Youth & Seniors $6, Adult $8
ttp://ettc.ca/club-events.html#picnic
edmonton@multiplebirthscanada.org
www.ettc.ca
Kitchener-Waterloo POMBA
Sunday, May 30th - 3-5pm
Waterloo Town Square
We are very excited to have 'The Skalywags' performing and bringing their energetic act to our upcoming Multiple Births Association Awareness Day Celebrations!The Skalywags are the latest Kids Band sensation--equipped with their drums and guitars, catchy, educational and sometimes silly lyrics and infectious melodies.
Join us for fun in our bouncy castle, craft area and possibly a parade!
The local media will be invited to attend and KWPOMBA will be making donations to local hospitals
kitchenerwaterloo@multiplebirthscanada.org
www.multiplebirthscanada.org/~kwpomba
Multiple Birth Families Association of Ottawa/Gatineau in partnership with Multiple Births Canada
Friday, May 28th - 12:15pm
Parliament Hill, Ottawa
ottawa@multiplebirthscanada.org
www.mbfa.ca
communications@multiplebirthscanada.org
Saskatoon Parents of Twins and Triplets Organization
Members of SPOTTO are rallying for parental leave benefits on May 28th, National Multiple Births Awareness Day.
The Rally will take place on Friday May 28th at 12:00 to 12:30, at MP Lynne Yelich's office at Market Mall. Her office is in unit 71 at the southwest corner of the mall, near the Miramar Chinese Restaurant. SPOTTO members, family and friends are welcome to join us. You can bring infants and preschoolers in strollers or bring photos of your children in school. Please invite a supporter to attend as well - perhaps a grandparent or a family friend who understands the need for parental leave and lots of hands-on care in the early months with newborn multiples. The more the merrier! SPOTTO Family Picnic & Games
Saturday, June 6th, 10:30am to 2:00pm
Kinsmen Park on Spadina Crescent, Saskatoon
We will have children's games and a picnic lunch, and families can ride on the carousel and miniature train, and play at the playground.
11:45 – 12:45 Kinsmen Park Rides
12:45 – Picnic and games in the park
The local media will be invited to attend.
For more information email SPOTTO at
saskatoon@multiplebirthscanada.org
www.spotto.ca
Brighter Futures and the Ontario Early Years Centre in Kapuskasing, Ontario will be holding their third MBA Day.
It is for families of multiples with children 6 years and under.
It is from 4pm to 5:30pm with pizza and cake followed by pictures taken by The Northern Times and playtime.
Location: 3 Summers Avenue, Kapuskasing, Ontario
Jo-Anne August, Community Worker,
Jo-Anne.August@jsfs.org
Brighter Futures/Grandir Ensemble
705-335-6331 FAX 705-335-6337
Multiple Birth Support Group - Sault Ste. Marie OEYC
Multiple Birth Awareness Day Celebration
Family Social
When: Saturday, May 29, 2010
Time: 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Bellevue Park (on the green space by the water)
Free children’s crafts and information on raising multiples.
For more information or to register call (705) 942-6008
oeycssm@childcarealgoma.ca
Information
For more information about National Multiple Births Awareness Day, please call the MBC Business Office toll free at 1-866-228-8824 or email us at communications@multiplebirthscanada.org.
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