Blues Project Celebrates Milestone

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A program called the Blues Project is working to change high infant mortality rates in Shelby County. On Friday, participants and organizers celebrated their success.

The Blues Project is celebrating because all of the 800 babies in the project made it to their first birthday.

Participant Katrina Bonds says her baby Amariya is happy and loves to talk. But when Bonds found out she was pregnant, she felt alone.

"I felt down, I didn't know what to do," says Bonds. "I didn't have anything, no help, my family wasn't supportive."

Then Bonds found the Blues Project.

Project coordinator Kimberly Lamar says the focus of the project is teaching expecting mothers how to care for their baby and themselves.

"Women who participate in the Blues Project have seen significantly lower low birth rate delivery, lower pre-maturity, pre-term delivery as well as mortality," says Lamar. "Our babies are living."

Lamar says the overall rates in Shelby County have seen a slight dip as well. Infant mortality has become a priority in the health community.

"Our infant mortality rate in Shelby County is significantly high," says Lamar. "It's high compared to some third world countries. What we're seeing is our African American babies in Shelby County are twice as likely to die."

But the babies at the birthday party are living proof that strides are being made. Babies had their birthday cupcake, presents, and got to meet "Freckles" the robot dog. The moms also had their monthly clinical session.

Lamar says the Blues Project is as much about helping the women as it is the babies.

"We've saved lives," says Lamar. "Not only for these babies that have been born, but some of the moms."

"I wouldn't know what to do if it wasn't for this program," says Bonds. "I wouldn't know what to do."