Every year, 48,000 babies are born sick or premature in the country.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The past year have been tough for the families of such babies who are born sick or 37 weeks before gestation.
Yass local Tara Verma recently gave birth and says that the hardest part for her was restricted visitation due to COVID restrictions.
"Having another child at home made it hard to balance time with my daughter Naina and him. Due to restrictions, my son was not able to meet his sister for a month," she said.
"I struggled with the hospital environment, the sounds, alarms seeing other people's stories it was overwhelming, to say the least, and when I had to return to the hospital with Naina due to illness I had severe anxiety hearing the alarms.
"Taking care of myself is something I struggled with which is where Life's Little Treasures charity was a massive support for me with the little gift bags of activities, journals, resource books it encouraged me to take moments for myself."
Naina was born in January 2021 weighing 1.8kg. She is now a healthy toddler but had episodes of bradycardia and showed signs of NEC in which she had to stop all feeds for a few days.
READ ALSO:
To support these families, Life's Little Treasure Foundation charity is organising a fundraiser Walk for Prems across Australia.
Foundation CEO, Felicia Welstead, says the past year has presented numerous challenges to families, especially those of premature and sick babies.
"Without the traditional support network of family and friends, these families are more isolated than ever. The foundation recognises the importance of bringing the community together again in support of those families in need," Ms Welstead said.
"Running in its 12th year, the fundraiser is a wonderfully inclusive and supportive community event and we have planned lots of great activities and competitions throughout the countdown to the event."
In the wake of the COVID-19 restrictions, this year's walk will follow a hybrid format and include three physical walk locations in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth as well as a virtual walk option for those restricted by location.
Regardless of whether participants will be walking in person or virtually, the day will be run similar to previous events with an MC, speeches, entertainment, competitions and prizes. A dove ceremony will also take place in remembrance of those families who have lost a baby. These activities will occur at each of the physical locations and will be streamed online as well.
People can share tips, their walking routes and connect with other families through Walk For Prems Facebook and Instagram group.
The event will be held on October 24 and people can register themselves or a team through the Walk for Prems website and raise funds.
