Yesterday, Ralph and I had the fortune of attending the launch of The Bonnie Babes Foundation 'National Babies Day' at Parliament House, Canberra.
The launch attracted many politicians and dignitaries, as well as many members of society who have been touched by what the Bonnie Babes support through communication and research - people who have experienced difficulties with miscarriage, still birth and premature babies.
Few people realise that 1 in 4 pregancies are impacted this way - 70,000 per year in Australia.
The launch of National Babies Day was also the parliamentary launch of 'Small Miracles' a publication created by Rachel Stanfield-Porter (founder of The Bonnie Babes Foundation internationally) with the support of many contributors. You can find 'Small Miracles' in bookstores nationally.
As explained by 'The Australian'...
ONE of the more painful chapters in the lives of Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull, the miscarriage of two children, was played out in private more than 20 years ago.
Yesterday, their story became part of a more public retelling of the effects of losing a child, as a contribution to a new book raising money for families confronted with stillbirth, miscarriage and premature birth.
Mr Turnbull helped launch Small Miracles, written by the Bonnie Babes Foundation founder Rachel Stanfield-Porter, at Parliament House in Canberra yesterday, on the same day he celebrated his first year as Opposition Leader.
He did so in the company of Lucy, who has contributed to the book, and his daughter, Daisy, who was born prematurely.
The Opposition Leader The Hon Malcolm Turnbull was there to discuss impact on his family and help with the launch of 'Small Miracles'... for the full article...
View The Australians editorial here: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26084937-5013404,00.html
You can also view Malcolm Turnbull's speech summarised here: http://www.liberal.org.au/news.php?Id=3814
Probably, many of you are not aware of Malcolm's family experience.
It was also the 1 year anniversary of Mr Turnbull's celebration of the leader of the opposition - a great time to celebrate National Babies Day and the birth of 'Small Miracles'.
Bonnie Babes look forward to making National Babies Day popular as Mothers and Fathers Day - a celebration of life which often begins very early on this planet thanks to the technology we now have available. National Babies Day is also a remembrance of those who left early, without the opportunity to grow with their families and an opportunity for families to discuss their feelings - in their own way.
Additional information...
Malcolm Turnbull proudly sponsors the research project below...
Retinopathy of Prematurity: ‘Ray of Hope’
Retinopathy is the major cause of blindness in premature infants all over the world. Globally there are 1.4 million children who are born blind. The growing need to prevent the pathogenesis of Retinopathy of Prematurity has become ever more prevalent as research efforts are directed toward preventing further escalation of the disease to ensure the preterm infant will have a high quality of life with the gift of sight. It is the hope that by understanding the very early stages of Retinopathy of Prematurity we can improve the changes of developing new forms of treatment that target the earliest microvascular changes rather than waiting until the retina is invaded by numerous pathological, leaky new vessels as currently therapy dictates.
Chief Investigator: Prof Tailoi Chan-Ling
University of Sydney
Information Technology person needed
Bonnie Babes need an internet computer wiz. The Bonnie Babes Foundation needs a company or individual to donate their time to help with their website and internet needs to get the Bonnie Babes Foundation across the internet.
They have specific needs that can be discussed. Its not an extensive amount of time but it’s a huge support to our charity. Sadly over 70,000 babies pass away every year, the Bonnie Babes Foundation is a non government funded charity striving to save babies lives. To register your support call Debbie on 1300 266 643 or enquiry@bbf.org.au.
‘Small Miracles’
The Bonnie Babes Foundation has just released its new book ‘Small Miracles'. The book has been published by one of Australia's top publishers Hachette Australia who publish everything from Enid Blyton to Stephen King and many well known titles in between. The book is now available in Target, Kmart, Myer, Big W, Dymocks, Angus & Robertson, Borders, Collins, 180 independent book sellers and specialty stores.
The book is raising funds for the Bonnie Babes Foundation which helps over 17,000 families every year. The Bonnie Babes Foundation provides 24 hour, 7 day per week grief counselling services and funds vital medical research into infertility issues, miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal loss and the charity raises much needed funds for vital equipment for premmie babies.
The book is written by the Founder of the Bonnie Babes Foundation, Rachel Stanfield-Porter who lost her own two babies and now has two healthy sons. The book is a compilation of inspiring Australian stories of hope, survival and coping after the loss of a baby from miscarriage, stillbirth and prematurity. It is a book about celebrities and high profile personalities including Australian Women’s Weekly’s Deborah Thomas, footballer Robert Harvey, Dr Cindy Pan, radio personality Dee Dee, actor Rebecca Gibney, actor Tony Bonner and many others who talk about their losses in a very candid way.
This is the first time a book like this has been released into mainstream bookstores and department stores.
To contact the Bonnie Babes Foundation call 1300 266 643 or enquiry@bbf.org.au or www.bbf.org.au.