World Prematurity Day - November 17

Join us and help raise awareness

Saturday 17th November 2012 is World Prematurity Day and this year the National Premmie Foundation is again participating in the global campaign to raise awareness of the 15 million babies who are born too soon each year. Preterm birth accounts for more than 1 in every 10 live births. Approximately 23,000 of these babies are born in Australia and we want everyone to join the campaign to raise awareness of the issues these babies and their families face.

Pre term or premature birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation is the second leading cause of newborn death globally. Babies who survive an early birth often face the increased risk of health challenges such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and many other hurdles. For many families pre term birth brings with it neonatal or infant loss.

The National Premmie Foundation is a founding member group of the World Prematurity Network, joined alongside other like-minded organisations from around the globe to raise awareness and change the lives of babies born too soon.

How you can get involved

We are asking people throughout Australia to get behind World Prematurity Day.
In 2011, the Empire State Building was lit up purple and it will do so again in 2012 with other buildings from around the world.  This year in Australia, the Questacon building in Canberra, is lighting up purple.  You can be a part of our “light it up purple” campaign in Australia by purchasing a National Premmie Foundation candle and lighting it at 7pm in your own home. 


To participate

• Visit and become a fan of our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/nationalpremmiefoundation
• Change your profile picture on Facebook (the image is available below)
• Purchase your very own candle for our “Light it up purple” campaign via our online store
• Visit our Facebook event page and click “Join” and “Invite Friends”
• Join the official World Prematurity Day Facebook page and add your story of premature birth or neonatal loss
• Light your candle on Saturday the 17th November 2012 @ 7pm
• Donate online and support the National Premmie Foundation

Spread the word

We invite everyone to help spread the word about the 17th November 2012. You can update your Facebook profile image and even your cover photo, place a WPD banner on your website or blog (linking to our website), share the link to our online store so your family and friends can purchase a candle and join in celebrating the day.

Why is there a World Prematurity Day?

Around the globe each year 15 million babies are born too soon, sadly around 1 million of these babies will not survive.

In 2008, the idea came about to raise awareness of the serious issues that these babies and their families face and since then the day has gained more and more support and each year has gone from strength to strength.

In 2009, the National Premmie Foundation joined forces with international groups, March of Dimes (USA), LittleBigSouls (Africa) and EFCNI (Germany) to raise awareness of the serious issues that these babies and their families face. 

In 2010, the Foundation officially celebrated its first World Prematurity Day in Australia after moving our annual National Premmie Day celebrations from July to November in recognition of the world joining forces to make a difference. 

In 2011 and 2012, further international groups, Bliss (UK) and Home for Premature Babies (China), joined the World Prematurity Network. United together, we can make a difference and raise the voice of prematurity in the public domain.

Please join us together with our member groups - Loddon Mallee Kids, Life’s Little Treasures Foundation, Preterm Infant’s Parent’s Association, L’il Aussie Prems Foundation and Yasminah’s Gift of Hope on Saturday the 17th November 2012.  Let’s make some noise, unite together and be the voice for all the children born too soon in Australia. 

The winners of the Butterfly Garden Ball Tickets are....

Congratulations to the following winners who have each won a ticket to attend Yasminah's Gift Of Hope Inaugural Butterfly Garden Ball to be held at Lachlans, Old Government House, Parramatta, NSW on Satruday the 11th of August from 6:30pm.

The winners will join us on this very special evening as we dress up, dance the night away, make new friends and also to remember the children who were miscarried, born premature, born sleeping or who passed away during infancy or were born with a congenital abnormality.

We will honour, remember and celebrate them during the evening.

 Rebecca Henricksen and Nate Morabito

Sharon Borig-Lathlean and partner

Jaharri Pitts and Mariah Devontae

Chrissy Rickards and partner

Kirby Richmond Davis and Glenn Davis

Kellie Grainger and Christopher Grainger

Claire Elise Griffin and Bob Lloyd

Renee Yeardye and James Yeardye

Terrilee Zimmehl and partner

I look forward to meeting you all on the evening and want to thank you for supporting Yasminah's Gift Of Hope. 

If you could all please send me an email to book your tickets

Gift Of Hope for Joshua Hancock

A Gift Of Hope for Joshua Hancock

Joshua was born premature

Sending the Hancock family

Hope, Light, Love and Happiness

A Gift Of Hope for Riley James and Marley James

A Gift of Hope for Melissa and her family

Melissa's twins Riley James Lane and Marley James Lane were born at 23 weeks gestation on the 28th October 2009

Riley James was born first at 10pm weighing 680g and sadly passed away 1 hour and 55 minutes later at 11:55pm in his parents arms

Marley James was born 8 minutes after his big brother at 10:08pm weighing 550g. Marley fought long and hard but sadly joined his brother and passed away on the 27th November at 7:25pm

Sending Melissa and her family

Hope, Light, Love and Happiness

Melissa is holding a fundraiser for Yasminah's Gift Of Hope next Wednesday on Wear Green For Premature Babies and Children's Day for L'il Aussie Prems an organisation very close to our hearts who personally supported me during the premature birth of my twins who we are now proud to work in conjunction with supporting Premature Babies and their families

Gift Of Hope for Danielle

A Gift Of Hope for Danielle's family

Danielle was born a few weeks ago with a terminal brain tumor.

I personally received a request late Tuesday afternoon for a Gift Of Hope to be sent directly to this family, so they can have all the love and support they need around them, as well as a chance to record some beautiful memories and create keepsakes of their time together.

Sending the family

Hope, Light, Love and Happiness

Know that you are not alone, there are many people who sympathise so deeply with you.
We hope your Gift Of Hope will provide you with some comfort during this time.

With Love YGOH

Gift Of Hope for Alexzander McConville

A Gift Of Hope for Melinda, Pat and Edward McConville with love from your friends the Smyths

Alexzander McConville was born premature at 29 weeks gestation on the 4th June 2010, weighing 1.1kg and 38cm long. Alexzander and another Gift Of Hope recipient Jacinda Smyth were neighbours for 86 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). They fought NEC and CMV together and multiple infections. Sadly Alexzander passed away on the 30th September 2010 after 119 days of courageous fighting

Sending Melinda, Pat and Edward

Hope, Light, Love and Happiness

Melinda, Pat and Edward you were a huge part of the Jacinda and the Smyths life during their hospital stay and you will never be forgotten

Gift Of Hope for Jade Harmony Pedley

A Gift Of Hope for Jaala and David Pedley with love from your friend Despina

Jade Harmony Pedley was born on the 1st February 2011, several weeks premature 1 day after the devastating Queensland Floods

Sending Jaala and David

Hope, Light, Love and Happiness

and Strength to get through the journey of NICU

Gift Of Hope for Marlon Kevin Boi

A Gift Of Hope for Courtney, Thierry and Big Brother Keenan

Marlon Kevin Boi was born at 24 weeks and 4 days

on the 24th January 2011, weighing 828grams

Sending Courtney, Thierry and Keenan

Hope, Light, Love and Happiness

as well as strength to get through the journey of the NICU

Happy Corrected 1st Birthday

Today Aisha and Aaliyah were due to arrive. I still find it hard to believe that they are 14 months old. Let alone that they were born 8 weeks and 2 days premature, and that we made it through NICU.

It is amazing to me that they survived, given their premature age and the challenges they faced when born, but they did have their own personal guardian angel watching over them and a wonderful team of Doctors and Nurses who we are very thankful to.

Yesterday we had their 12 month corrected age, growth and development assessment. It basically assesses their weight, height, problem solving skills, language skills and gross motor development. A paediatrician performed a physical examination and a psychologist completed a series of tests to see how their skills are developing.

We were at the hospital for 3 hours. Not an easy task when you have 3 children, aged 3 and under in a tiny room with no windows. But we made it through with snacks, hugs and laughter with a few tears thrown in for good measure.

At birth Aisha weighed 1554g and was 41cm long.
At 14 months, 12 months corrected Aisha weighs 9.56kg and is 74.3cm long

At birth Aaliyah weighed 1773g and was 41.5cm long.
At 14 months, 12 months corrected Aaliyah weighs 9.36kg and is 74.4cm long

So suffice to say that their growth is outstanding. The last time we visited for their assessment was when they were 8 months, 6 months corrected. At that time they were both still breastfed and having a lot of difficulty with reflux. I managed to continue breastfeeding them until they were 8 months old but sadly they stopped gaining weight and lost interest, so we weaned them across to an anti reflux formula and we haven't looked back. Establishing solids was difficult, but that has also settled and they eat a wide variety of food. They both LOVE their veggies especially peas! And just like their dad and their brother cheese and yoghurt are their favourite.

Aisha and Aaliyah's problem solving skills are considered above average for their age. Their gross motor skills were slightly below average. They have only just begun to pull to stand and Aisha chose this day to pull up to stand all on her own. My husband and I looked on with amazement as Aisha pulled up with all her might to stand on her own two feet. Today both of the girls have been pulling up to stand. Their older brother walked at 11.5 months and honestly I did not think the girls would be walking until they were about 18 months but you never know...... The Doctors have recommended we obtain some physiotherapy for both of them to help them progress and develop their gross motor skills. If they haven't improved or they are not walking by 18 months then we need to phone to make another appointment, but fingers crossed with some encouragement they will be walking and running in no time.

Their language skills were also assessed by the psychologist. They say all the usual words like mum, mumma, dad, dadda, Za (which is Zach) and recently added bye, bye to their repertoire. We read a lot of books and have done since they were born. One of their favourite books is The very hungry caterpillar. Aisha just a few days ago pointed to my t-shirt and said ba. She was pointing at the butterfly in our logo, on my t-shirt. I was so proud, my baby is beginning to say real words, understand things around her and communicate with these new found skills. During Aaliyahs assessment a series of objects were placed in front of her and she was asked where the dolly was. Aaliyah reached for the dolly and said bubba! Another first for Aaliyah. Aisha was considered as average for her language skills and Aaliyah as above average.

Overall they were very happy with their growth and development and we don't need to go back! After 14 months they have been given the all clear! Happy corrected 1st Birthday to my two beautiful girls, we love watching you grow and develop and are so very proud of you. Thank you for bringing so much love and happiness into our lives