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Yukoners ring bells at 9:09 am to raise awareness for FASD

Today is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day. Yukoners marked the event by ringing bells at 9:09, a time chosen to symbolize nine months of healthy pregnancy.
CBC News ·
A chorus of bells rang out at 9:09 a.m. in Whitehorse this morning as Yukoners marked FASD awareness day. Donna Jones (in yellow) of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Society Yukon says bells are rung around the world at this time to represent 9 months of healthy pregnancy. (Philippe Morin/CBC)

Yukoners gathered at 9:09 this morning to ring bells to raise awareness of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. 

Donna Jones of the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Society Yukon says the time represents nine months of healthy pregnancy.

People from Whitehorse's residence for people with FASD also took part in the bell ringing. The group planned a BBQ later in the day. (Philippe Morin/CBC)
​FASD Awareness Day has been happening since 1999, but children are still being born with the symptoms of alcohol used during pregnancy. 

"We don't see a decline because we see that alcohol is being used more and more in our society in general," Jones says. "We do know that 50 per cent of pregnancies are unplanned, so quite often people are drinking and partying before they even know that they're pregnant."

Events continue today 

There is a BBQ over the lunch hour in Whitehorse at Shipyards Park.

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