Big Pharma is taking an unprecedented step of asking Congress to prevent parents from being able to fight for their preemies who developed NEC. We’re here to stand up to Big Pharma and to tell lawmakers to Protect Our Preemies.
Every Preemie Deserves Protection
What is NEC?
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating gastrointestinal disease affecting premature infants, often resulting in death, lifelong disability, or chronic malnutrition.
Understanding the Risks of Preterm Formula
Key fact: Decades of research confirm that preterm formula raises NEC risk in preterm infants.
AAP recommends only human milk for preemies
Hold Big Corporations Accountable
Key fact: Formula companies know the risks but still market to preemie families.
Congress should not shield corporations from responsibility.
Voices from the NICU: Why Protection Matters.
“Piper didn’t just survive NEC, she battles its consequences every single day. The companies that made the formula she was fed shouldn’t get a free pass. They knew the risks and should be held accountable, not shielded.”
Jennifer,
Georgia
“I lost my daughter Calliope before I ever got to hear her laugh. Her twin sister will grow up without the sibling she was born beside. The companies that are responsible don’t get to walk away — families like mine deserve justice.”
Nicholas,
Illinois
“My child l’Ellie had major surgery and may need more because of NEC. No parent should have to watch their baby suffer like that. We need more awareness, more accountability, and more action so other families don’t have to endure this pain.”
TAJAH,
KANSAS
Frequently asked questions
- NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis) is a serious, life-threatening intestinal disease that primarily affects premature and very low birth weight infants. (Source: Cleveland Clinic)
- Necrotizing enterocolitis affects 2% to 5% of all premature infants and is responsible for nearly 8% of all NICU admissions. Overall, mortality ranges from 10% to 50%. However, in the most severe cases, involving perforation, peritonitis, and sepsis, mortality approaches 100%. (Source: NCBI)
- Major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recommend human milk as the safest option for premature infants. (Source: AAP)
- Across the U.S., milk banks accredited by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) collect, screen, and pasteurize donated breast milk. (Source: HMBANA)
- 100% of Level IV NICUs reported providing donor milk for premature infants. (Source: HMBANA)
- Congress should oppose H.R. 2300, which would dismiss any pending lawsuits against infant formula manufacturers, and reject language in the House Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill that supports giving corporations a liability shield.
- Big Pharma knows the risk of NEC from their products and wants Congress to protect them from lawsuits so they can keep selling their formula to hospitals unchecked. Don’t let Big Pharma get a free pass!