Sept. 9 is a day for FASD Awareness

Sept. 9 is International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day.

Pat Smith, with Weber Human Services, is letting area churches know that because this is on a Sunday, the Utah Fetal Alcohol Coalition, would like to go with the theme “FASD — Awareness Through Faith.”

In many states, churches ring their bells at 9:09 a.m. and some at 9:09 p.m., the news release states. The day first originated on Sept. 9, 1999, (pregnancy is associated with 9 months, which explains all the 9s). The coalition encourages churches to somehow recognize this and stress the fact that FASD is 100 percent preventable, and that awareness and education can make a difference.