Red Nose Day is this Friday 13 August. Every dollar raised by the Day is dedicated to saving newborn lives through funding research, education, and advice for new parents – including the Red Nose Safe Sleep Advice Line.
Red Nose’s efforts are especially important in light of new statistics released by the Australian Government, revealing a 20 per cent increase in sudden infant deaths (SIDS) and fatal sleeping accidents in Australia between 2017 and 2018. This data is the most recent available due to the time allowed to account for coronial inquests and autopsy reports.
There were 112 instances of SIDS and fatal sleeping accidents in 2018, up from 93 the previous year.
Sadly, the data also shows 2,116 stillbirths, with almost no decrease from 2017.
More than 300,000 babies are born in Australia each year, and in the era of COVID 19, some maternity services are becoming financially inaccessible.
Birth bookings at a number of public hospitals are up by 35 per cent, due to a reported lockdown baby boom.
This Friday, Red Nose is aiming to raise $700,000 to keep their programs free and available to every Australian parent; services such as the Red Nose 24/7 counselling and support programs for families reeling from the death of their child.
Gemma and Yen, Still Six Lives advocates who spoke to Canberra Daily on their efforts to educate expectant parents on the importance of prenatal care after losing their own son to stillbirth, said the support they received from Red Nose was crucial in helping them re-enter the world in the aftermath.
“Red Nose helped us work towards existing again,” said Gemma, describing the weekly home check-ups they received following the death of their son, Jin.
“Without them, I doubt we would be able to educate others about our experience only nine months later,” Yen said.
According to Keren Ludski, Co-CEO of Red Nose Australia, the organisation “has worked relentlessly over the past three decades to reduce SIDS in Australia by more than 85 per cent, and every single person who has donated to Red Nose Day in the past can be thanked for that”.
“To us at Red Nose, the new infant death statistics aren’t just numbers,” Ms Ludski said. “These numbers represent the much-loved and wanted babies of devastated parents that we help every day. Families just like mine who will be forever changed.”
To donate to Red Nose, visit rednoseday.org.au/donate
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