Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day will be recognized in Grande Prairie again this year. The Northwest Peace FASD Network will be holding its 5th annual pancake breakfast on September 6th.
If there’s one message Executive Director Gwen Vekved wants to get across to expectant mothers that day, it’s that no alcohol is okay during pregnancy.
“We want to prevent cognitive delay, brain injury and the effects of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. This event is internationally famous and it’s one way of helping and supporting members of our society to remember how important it is to have alcohol free pregnancies.”
Drinking during pregnancy can cause a wide range of health issues for the baby including physical birth defects, developmental delays, learning disabilities, memory problems and difficulties communicating feelings.
According to Vekved, one out of every 100 babies born in Canada is affected by FASD. She says it’s important to hold events like this that bring awareness to FASD because the number of people in Alberta specifically living will the disorder keeps growing.
“Over 46,000 people are affected with Fetal Alcohol and those numbers are increasing. With alcohol, addictions are a concern so we want to make sure Fetal Alcohol numbers are going down but that’s not the case.”
The free event will be held at the Muskoseepi Park Pavillion on September 6th from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.