Walk for prems
The experience of seeing her tiny baby boy in an incubator after a premature birth has inspired a local woman to hold the first Walk for Prems in Warragul.
Serena Arnold is organising the walk at St Paul’s Gymnasium on Saturday, October 29 to raise funds for Life’s Tiny Treasures Foundation and, more importantly, offer community support to local families of premature babies.
Walk for Prems supports 48,000 premature or sick babies born in Australia every year. Now in its eighth year, it is the largest annual fundraiser for the Australia charity dedicated to supporting the families of babies born sick or prior to 37 weeks gestation.
Ms Arnold said her son Thomas weighed 1.2kg when born at 32 weeks gestation. Now a perfectly healthy nine-year-old, the family volunteer at Monash’s Ronald McDonald House to give back and she said “I’ve seen the help they (the foundation) have given everyone”.
When the foundation expressed interest at setting up Walk for Prems in regional locations, Ms Arnold jumped at the chance to host a Warragul walk.
She estimated 80 per cent of parents she meets who have premature babies are Gippsland-based.
“It’s amazing how many people know someone who’s had a premmie,” she said.
Drouin mother Naomi Togolo is urging people to support the walk after gaining foundation support following the birth of twins Kaitlyn and Tyson at just 29 weeks gestation in January.
Ms Togolo said Life’s Tiny Treasures offered information and support whilst her babies spent 50 days in Monash and 10 days in West Gippsland Hospital. Kaitlyn was born weighing just 831 grams and Tyson 1242 grams.
“For the first 10 days, I was on auto pilot,” said Naomi. “I couldn’t cuddle Kaitlyn for 10 days. We got to cuddle Tyson the next day.”
Naomi and partner Dan Batty first discovered Life’s Little Treasures via brochures in the maternity ward and NICU.
The foundation had donated recliners for cuddle times in the NICU. There were also family care packs, storybooks, links to social media support and huge amounts of information with an emphasis on self-care for mothers and stories directed at fathers.
Ms Togolo also attended information sessions to meet other mums of premmies who were now aged six months through to teenagers.
However, Ms Togolo said she lacked reassurance and local contact after leaving hospital with Kaitlyn and Tyson.
“I would like to see a local or West Gippsland-based Life’s Tiny Treasures,” said Naomi. “It takes a village to raise a child.”
Ms Arnold said having a premature baby was an overwhelming experience for which nobody plans. She urged locals to support the walk.
The Walk for Prems will start at the St Paul’s Gymnasium in Bowen Street, Warragul from 10am on Saturday, October 29. The 3.5km walk will utilise the nearby walking trails.
There will also be craft and cake stalls as well as a Lions barbecue and entertainment.
Registrations close on Wednesday, October 18 with the cost to participate $18 for adults, $10 for children and $7 for babies under twoyears-old.
To register or for further information, visit walkforprems.org.au