PRESS RELEASE: $200,000 to raise in just 24 hours as need for support grows for premature and sick babies

Miracle Babies Foundation’s globally recognised NurtureProgram expands to provide greater support for Victorian families with a baby in neonatal care at The Royal Children’s Hospital.

The annual May campaign will be vital in growing funds for the organisation to continue to expand its hours of face to face, peer support. A 20-year milestone for the Foundation, with the first Melbourne Hospital commencing in 2025.

Tuesday 6 May is the Foundation’s annual Quadruple Giving Day, a campaign crucial in supporting the Foundation’s efforts to grow the number of families they can support nationally as it extends face to face support in Melbourne hospitals.

This year, in its 20-year anniversary, the Foundation hopes to raise $200,000 in just 24 hours with all donations quadrupled with thanks to matching donors.

Until now, families have only been able to access face to face support from the organisation in person after finally leaving the doors of the Neonatal unit after weeks or months with their baby in hospital.

Today, that has changed, with the Miracle Babies peer support program now being delivered right inside the NICU, to support families emotionally as they grapple with the often traumatic and overwhelming experience of having a baby born early or sick. While the organisation has been providing resources to Melbourne Hospitals for years, this face-to-face support will greatly increase overall support for vulnerable families.

This will make such a positive impact for families in The Royal Children’s Hospital Neonatal Unit at the most critical time.

“This continued care and support starting from when a baby is first born and admitted to the neonatal unit, right through every stage of their journey then finally as they are discharged home is really fundamental to the program that we deliver. Retelling your story to different people, multiple times can bring up a lot of emotion and can be traumatic for families. Our one dedicated support worker is there in hospital and also once they go home, running the play and support groups (NurtureGroups) to provide ongoing support as their babies grow and develop.” – Kylie Pussell CEO and CoFounder.

The program first piloted in Liverpool Hospital is now delivered across the country, providing 10-15 hours per week inside some of Australia’s biggest tertiary hospitals and supporting babies as early as 23 weeks. eventually, the Foundation plans to replicate that same presence in all major Australian Hospitals, with growing demand from other, major Australian Hospitals, taking some currently at 3 hours to 5 times that in future years.

“Delivering this support inside the hospital during a family’s time in NICU is vital to reducing separation between parents and their babies. The last thing we want to do is take parents away from being by their baby’s side to receive support. We can together celebrate special milestones and provide comfort during the tough times too.” – Kylie Pussell

Melbourne father Rohan, Dad to Elka, turning 12 years old born at 29 weeks, helped to raise more than $50,000 in 2024 for Miracle Babies Foundation, also championing a climb to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro of which Elka reached the peak. “After having Elka spend time at The Royal so many years ago and not having access to support like this, I am so pleased to see that our efforts as a community will mean that we can contribute to more Victorian families receiving the support that we desperately could have used when Elka was born” – Rohan Bentley, Dad to Elka

Donate at:
Make a pre-pledge now or donate on Tuesday 6 May. All donations will be quadrupled on 6 May for 24 hours only with the goal to raise $200,000.
www.charidy.com/miraclebabies

20 Year Event:
The 20 Year Gala Celebration Dinner will also be held on Saturday 24 May in Sydney: https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/content/sydney-20-year-dinner/gnbgtk

Key Contact:
Danielle Hodgson Chief Operating Officer, Miracle Babies Foundation
0431 293 373 / 02 9724 8999 [email protected]

Available for interview:
Alyce Farrugia – mum to premature babies and Miracle Babies VIC NurtureProgram Support Worker – 0423 312 355 – Alyce gave birth to identical twin girls at 24+1 weeks gestation due to TTTS. Maddison, born at 667g, spent 118 days in NICU and Paige, born at 495g, passed away shortly after the birth

Kylie Pussell – CEO and CoFounder 0414 527 218, [email protected]

Rohan Bentley, Dad to Elka, 29 weeks, born at The Royal Women’s, spent time in NICU in The Royal Children’s Hospital – on request