Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Teas for teenies teams to mark World Prematurity Day
MEDIA RELEASE – For immediate release
8 November 2016
Teas for teenies teams to mark World Prematurity Day
Volunteers often provide
morning teas and lunches for parents of premature babies in
New Zealand – but the teas being held to mark World
Prematurity Day on 17 November will be a little
different.
Justine Brooker, Operations Executive of
The Neonatal Trust, which is supporting World Prematurity
Day in New Zealand, said: “On 17 November teams will be
organising morning teas for the families and the fantastic
and dedicated staff in every Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
(NICU) and Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU)”.
“Each
year, over 5,000 kiwi babies and their families make the
journey through neonatal intensive care in this country.
World Prematurity Day is a chance to celebrate our premature
babies and raise awareness of the challenges they and their
families face.”
The Neonatal Trust provides support
for families with babies in a NICU or SCBU giving help in
any way they can, physically, emotionally or financially to
make a difficult start to life a little bit easier.
The charity helps NICUs and SCBUs in practical ways, by purchasing or contributing to the cost of equipment. Examples of the support can be seen here.
The Neonatal Trust
also provides support for parents of premature babies. Mrs
Brooker said one of the most regular and popular support
events is hosting lunches and morning teas for parents with
babies currently in a neonatal unit.
“These are an
opportunity to provide necessary information and support, as
well as a way to create support networks amongst parents,”
she said.
“Part of our celebration of World
Prematurity Day is co-ordinating volunteers to organise
morning tea for each Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and
Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). This is both for the families
of babies in the units and also the wonderful staff who look
after the precious babies.”
Babies are classified as
premature if they are born before 37 weeks gestation. A
normal pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. At the extreme end, some
are born very early, with several examples of babies born at
24 weeks gestation in neonatal units at the
moment.
Premature babies aren’t just small; they often face on-going health challenges. The doctors and nurses in NICUs and SCBUs across New Zealand care for 10 per cent of babies born premature each year along with those full term babies with issues or complications that require specialist care. World Prematurity Day helps to thank and celebrate the work they do, caring for the world’s largest child patient groups.
This year marks the sixth year
for worldwide prematurity day, and the third time New
Zealand will be joining in the global celebrations. Much of
the efforts, awareness activities and the inaugural
‘Woollen Wonders’ campaign have been developed in
conjunction with, and are being supported by, The Neonatal
Trust volunteers.
The Trust receives no government
funding and so relies on the generosity of the New Zealand
community to continue providing the support that they do. If
you would like to donate or learn more about the support to
neonatal families, please visit www.neonataltrust.org.nz/support
ENDS
NZ Amateur Sport Association: 22 Amendments Proposed For 2022 Act Lodged On 22 November
Auckland University of Technology: Reading Helps Children Face A Difficult Future
PATHA: Puberty Blocker Evidence Brief Affirms Aotearoa’s Approach
Tataki Auckland Unlimited: Into Ocean & Ice - Unveiling Antarctica's Past And Present
Health Coalition Aotearoa: Urgent Action Needed To Address Aotearoa’s Shameful Household Food Insecurity
GPNZ: 2023/24 New Zealand Health Survey - One Quarter Of Kiwi Adults Unable To Access General Practice