On September 9th, proclamations are issued in countries, states, provinces, and towns all around the world. Bells are rung at 9:09 a.m. in every time zone from New Zealand to Alaska. People will gather for events to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy and the plight of individuals and families who struggle with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

The Public Health Agency of Canada heads the Government of Canada’s FASD Initiative and works with CAPC, CPNP and Aboriginal Head Start programs to provide resources, tools, and information about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The first FASDay was celebrated on 9/9/99. This day was chosen so that on the ninth day of the ninth month of the year, the world will remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should abstain from alcohol. Anytime is a good time to raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

For more information, visit NeuroDevNet.

For a first-hand account of the “birth” of FASDay, please visit the website.