By Victoria Stone-Meadows
CASEY families will be participating in the annual Walk with Prems Event this year to raise money and awareness for families who are caring for premature babies.
In 2013, 8.6 per cent of babies born in Victoria were born pre-term, that is less than 37 weeks of gestation.
Of those babies born prematurely in Australia, 54.4 per cent of them were admitted into specialist neo-natal care.
The Life’s Little Treasures Foundation that hosts the Walk for Prems Event provides support and information to families whose children are born prematurely or sickly.
For the seventh year, Life’s Little Treasures is hosting a walk in seven different locations around the country to raise money for families whose children are in neo-natal intensive care.
Nine years ago, the Atkinson family from Cranbourne spent 81 uncertain days at hospital after their son Josh was born after just 25 weeks of gestation.
“It was a very isolating and very nerve-wracking time,” mother Colleen Atkinson said.
“There wasn’t as much support around when we were in hospital at the Royal Women’s so we do this walk every year to help others who are going through the same thing,” she said.
Josh Atkinson is nearly 10 years old now but his rocky start to life has left a lasting impression on his development.
“Josh even now is three steps behind with a few little ongoing medical issues,” Mrs Atkinson said.
Amy Smith from Berwick will also be attending the walk and shared her experience of the early arrival of her daughter Madison and the support she received from Life’s Little Treasures.
“My daughter was born at 25 weeks almost five years ago, in November at the Monash Medical Centre at Clayton,” she said.
“The support from hem during the period we were in NICO in Clayton was really important and once out, the support network was vital.
“It is entirely different from having a full-term child.”
Ms Smith said she was passionate about participating in the walk because she would never forget the helping hand the foundation gave her.
“Every year we make sure we do it,” she said.
“To be there for other families and raise money to help other families on a similar journey.”
The Atkinsons said the Walk for Prems Event had created a great community of people who had a shared experience and support each other through their journeys.
“We don’t have much to do with other kids in the same situation and Josh knows he’s a bit different so the walk is one place we can go and we can talk among kids who are in similar boat,” Mrs Atkinson said.
Co-founder and CEO of Life’s Little Treasures Foundation Shusannah Morris said the money raised through the walk fills a gap in neo-natal care.
“Without government funding, it is only through the generous support of the Australian community that Life’s Little Treasures Foundation can be there for these families as they face an emotional and uncertain journey,” she said.
“Money raised from our annual Walk for Prems Event ensures we can continue to provide support, education and understanding to families in need, free of charge.”
This year’s Melbourne Walk for Prems Event will be held at Albert Park on Sunday 23 October and registrations are open for anyone who wants to participate.
To find out more about Life’s Little Treasures or to register for the walk, visit www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au.
