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SIDS and Kids - Funding Stillbirth Research
Bub Hub E-Newsletter, June 2006, Issue 47 - Article 2



 
 

Bub Hub and SIDS and Kids join forces in 2006 to bring vital information to the community.

SIDS and Kids proudly announce the newly founded partnership with the parenting website Bub Hub. Both organisations strive to provide a service and promote infant health and see this as an opportunity to make the most current information available through the Bub Hub website. This partnership comes together at SIDS and Kids biggest fundraising month of the year in lead up to Red Nose Day on Friday 30th June. Pauline Satchell, National Business Executive, SIDS and Kids says, "SIDS and Kids are delighted at this generous offer from Bub Hub to support our cause and help us reach the public with our Safe Sleeping message. It shows Bub Hub shares a genuine passion to help save babies lives".

Since 1979, SIDS and Kids has been largely responsible for a 90% reduction in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Australia. As research continues into the causes, SIDS and Kids embraces this achievement and is working towards the same success in reducing perinatal mortality rates.

In addition to health promotion and research programs, SIDS and Kids provides bereavement services and resources to families who suffer the sudden death of a child from any unexpected cause including neonatal complications, drowning, fire, motor vehicle accidents, fast onset illness, SIDS or stillbirth. Each month over 200 Australian children are stillborn or die suddenly and unexpectedly, and for each death more than 60 people are affected and may require support. SIDS and Kids provides these services 24 hours a day.

Every day, three babies are stillborn in Australia. SIDS and Kids has spent $15 million in the last twenty years supporting efforts to reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), saving the lives of 4500 babies. SIDS and Kids require continued support from the community to help find the answers to the causes of the unexplained area of stillbirth.

SIDS and Kids has privately funded its operation through community support of Red Nose Day which is held annually on the last Friday in June and is one of Australia's favourite national charity days. In 1988, the Red Nose Day concept was adopted by SIDS and Kids organisations around the country and, since then, people, celebrities, cars and buildings have joined in the fun. Red Nose Day was immediately embraced by the public with over 1 million noses being sold in the first year, raising $1.3 million for research.

By wearing a nose you can be silly for a serious cause, and bring a sense of relief and light to a tragic topic. Despite initial controversy, it has proven to be a successful way to send a message about this sensitive issue.

Over the past 18 years, Red Nose Day products have expanded to include a range of popular merchandise to assist in raising funds. The sale of Red Nose Day products contributes 87% of SIDS and Kids gross income which allows the organisation to provide ongoing research, free services and resources. Since its inception, Red Nose Day's dynamic products and marketing have been adopted by numerous businesses and charities. Research confirms the popularity of the Red Nose theme with a 97% recognition rate in Australia.

Many charities have come and gone, but Red Nose Day remains at the forefront by constantly evolving the Fundraising Day and Products and by instilling this spirit and passion in all of our campaigns, staff, donors and suppliers. Since 1988, SIDS and Kids has invested $13.5 million into research from Red Nose Day fundraising alone. Donors feel confident in supporting the reputable cause as SIDS and Kids produces substantial statistics and results within the medical field, which means a real difference can be seen in the community.

This years campaign launches a new focus for SIDS and Kids in researching the medical mystery of Stillbirth. There are over 1300 stillbirths every year with 400 of those remaining completely unexplained.

Janet Carey, National Executive Health and Programs, SIDS and Kids said: "Stillbirth in Australia accounts for over 400 unexplained infant deaths annually and the majority of those unexplained deaths occurred in late pregnancy just before or during the birth. The lack of political and social focus on the issue could be attributed to the fact that stillbirth is a very emotional and difficult subject for many people to discuss".

Associate Professor James King, Chairman of the Perinatal Mortality Group of the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand said: "Despite the fact that stillbirths have declined in Australia by 10.5% (5.7 to 5.1 per 1,000 total) in the last ten years the rate of stillbirth is still high."

 

This year's campaign needs the continued support of the community to help SIDS and Kids dramatically decrease these alarming statistics surrounding Stillbirth.

This year's Red Nose Day on Friday June 30th will see the launch of Operation 400 to resemble the number of unexplained stillbirths each year.

Be a superhero for Red Nose Day and support SIDS and Kids new campaign by purchasing product, making cash donations or volunteering. Visit www.rednoseday.com.au and find out how you can be involved.

 

SIDS and Kids still continue their important work on spreading the Safe Sleep Message. Each year sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents claim the lives of many babies as a result of unsafe sleeping practices that could have been avoided. The most common risk factors include unsafe sleeping positions (tummy and side), head covering with bedding and exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and/or after birth.

To read more, view the sids and kids safe sleeping brochure online.

and remember...

  • put baby on back to sleep from birth
  • sleep baby with face uncovered
  • cigarette smoke is bad for baby before birth and after
  • have a safe cot, safe mattress, safe bedding and safe sleeping environment for baby night and day


Article kindly supplied by SIDs and Kids

 

SIDs and Kids
Red Nose Day Friday 30 June 2006

website: www.rednoseday.com.au


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