La Leche League International to Hold Twelfth Annual World Walk for Breastfeeding

SCHAUMBURG, IL (May 15, 2002)-Thousands of breastfeeding families, their supporters, and health care professionals around the world will participate in the eleventh annual La Leche League International (LLLI) World Walk for Breastfeeding being held at locations globally May 15 through September 15, 2002.

Most World Walks will be held in conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, which was proclaimed by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) in conjunction with the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Walkers will be promoting the LLLI goal of increasing the incidence and duration of breastfeeding worldwide.

The 2002 World Breastfeeding Week's theme is Breastfeeding:Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies. In addition to making communities aware of the importance of breastfeeding for the mothers and children of the world, Walkers are expected to raise money to help LLLI to fulfill its mission of giving mother-to-mother support, education, and encouragement to all women who want to breastfeed their babies.

August 1, 2001 marks the twelfth anniversary of the signing of the Innocenti Declaration on the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding, which was developed and adopted by 32 governments and 10 United Nations agencies.

La Leche League International is a nonprofit organization that offers breastfeeding education and encouragement through mother-to-mother support groups, telephone counseling and extensive interaction with physicians and health care providers. More than 300,000 women in 63 countries are assisted by La Leche League programs every month.

Those interested in participating in the World Walk for Breastfeeding or in sponsoring a Walker may contact the La Leche League International office at (847) 519-7730 or visit the LLLI Web site at www.lalecheleague.org for information about activities in your area.

Last updated Friday, July 28, 2006 8:08 PM by dlj.

Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:32:32 UTC 2007.