The Fresno County Preterm Birth Collective Impact Initiative and First 5 Fresno County presents the 2nd Annual World Prematurity Day Walk from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Nov. 17, at The Lighthouse for Children (2405 Tulare St., Suite 200).

It’s intended to create awareness for more than 15 million babies that are born premature worldwide.

In Fresno County alone, one of every nine babies is born prematurely, one of the highest rates in California and throughout the nation.

Several iconic landmarks in town will be lit purple to commemorate World Prematurity Day, including the Shehadey Tower at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, The Lighthouse for Children and Fresno City Hall.

The Fresno initiative is part of a larger, 10-year Preterm Birth Initiative, led by the University of San Francisco, and funded by Lynne and Marc Benioff and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Registration for the walk will begin at The Lighthouse for Children at 5:30 p.m. with the walk to Fresno City Hall at 6 p.m.

Each participant will receive a purple lamp, which is the color used to bring awareness of premature birth.

For more information, contact Amanda Conley at 559.228.2159 or amconley@csufresno.edu.