Star of "Desperate Housewives" to Help Launch LA Best Babies Network's "Love Your Baby" Campaign

(LOS ANGELES)—On Valentine's Day, Ricardo Chavira, star of ABC's hit show "Desperate Housewives" will join mothers and babies in launching LA Best Babies Network's "Love Your Baby" education campaign. The kick-off event, followed by a free infant immunization clinic, will begin at 11a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 14 at the Eisner Pediatric and Family Center, 1530 S. Olive St., LA 90015.

Chavira, who plays Carlos on the popular TV drama, has endorsed the "Love Your Baby" campaign, which seeks to educate women about how they can have healthier births and babies.

"Being a father is my most important and valuable role," said Chavira. "I'm here to support LA Best Babies Network and the ‘Love Your Baby' message. As a parent, I think it's important to encourage other parents to do whatever they can to ensure their children get the best possible start in life."

Also speaking at the kick-off will be Nancy Au and Corina Villaraigosa, commissioners of First 5 LA, the child advocacy organization that has committed $28 million over five years to improve birth outcomes in LA County.

LA Best Babies Network was created by First 5 LA to increase healthy births and healthy babies in LA County through strategic community partnerships, policy reform, research and medical expertise application.

"The 'Love Your Baby' campaign is designed to educate women on three distinct, but very essential aspects of healthcare for women in LA County," said LA Best Babies Network Executive Director Carolina Reyes, MD. "Our campaign will address "How to Have a Healthy Pregnancy, How to Have a Healthy Birth and How to Stay Healthy Between Pregnancies. We're confident that if we successfully communicate these three important messages, we can help reduce the current statistic of 1 in 15 babies born with low birthweight in LA County. We believe healthy babies are our future."

First 5 LA Vice Chair Nancy Au added, "Our goal is to improve perinatal health care for all women and to reduce preventable incidents of low birthweight and premature babies, which together, account for half of the 800 infant deaths in LA County each year."