Earlier today a barbecue fundraiser was held for today's FASD Awareness Day in Portage la Prairie. Local FASD Diagnostic Coordinator for Southern Health-Santé Sud Nancy Neufeld says they received a lot of support.

"It's been great. It's been really supported well. People have been very happy to contribute a little bit extra when they come and when they know what it's for. And people are really wanting to support healthy pregnancies and just trying to support the understanding. It takes a community, right? It helps raise that awareness."

She notes they asked people if they know about the issue.

"There are quite a number of people who do. They've heard of it before, or they sort of understand what the message is these days about no safe amount. But there are always people who are not familiar maybe with some of the terms, and are kind of new to them, or they just want a little know a bit more information."

Neufeld says she's thankful for any means whereby the awareness gets out, and while everyday's needed to spread awareness, it's really helpful to have a special day like this and bring it to the forefront of everyone's mind.