Our Autumn Newsletter is filled with all the latest news about Life's Little Treasures Foundation

Life's Little Treasures Foundation 2016 Autumn Newsletter

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Welcome to the Autumn edition of the LLTF newsletter, 2016 got off to a flying start here at head office, and our feet haven’t touched the ground since. Our team have been busy hustling, but that’s just the way we like it! We have just got back from taking part in the PSANZ (Perinatal Society of Australia & New Zealand) conference in Townsville, a big four days where we got to meet so many wonderful people who work in the health sector.

As we know what an important role Dads play when bub is born early, one of our latest projects was developing a section on our website, especially for DADs. The love and care provided by the father can make a huge difference to baby’s health and development. Our web page is designed to give dad support and tips for his journey.

We are thrilled that ANZ Bank Foundation recently provided funding for two more of our popular webinars which we run in partnership with the VIBEs team at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. The view is Shusannah Morris, LLTF CEO to have one in late August, and the second early December. We hope to announce confirmed dates and topics for these webinars soon.

Finally, we are currently running our End of Financial Year tax donation campaign. You may have received an email from us already, telling you about Sarah and her three prems. If you have donated already, we can’t thank you enough for your generosity. If you haven’t yet then help us to support families like Sarah’s with premature and sick babies by following the link included in this newsletter to learn how to make your gift.

So a lot to get through, put the kettle on, grab a cuppa and enjoy the read. Hoping you and your little treasures all stay snug this season.
Warmest Wishes

Shusannah Morris
Co-Founder/CEO LLTF

Respiratory Syncytial Virus

With winter nearly on our doorstep, it’s time to rug up and stay warm as this is the time of year when our little treasures can be susceptible to winter viruses, especially those children with compromised Respiratory systems. One such virus is called Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and below we provide some information so you know the symptoms.

What is RSV?

RSV is a very common virus that causes cold-like symptoms that can trigger chronic breathing difficulties if the lungs become involved

Who is at risk?
Babies born premature and those with a low birth weight, and those born with a congenital heart disease; or chronic lung disease. While adults and healthy children can typically cope with the mild cold-like symptoms of an infection, those at risk may need to be admitted to a hospital if infected. In babies who are born prematurely or who have lung or heart complications, RSV may cause life-threatening conditions requiring intensive care.

Read the full article on our website by clicking this link.

We would like to welcome officially and introduce you to our National Treasure Time Coordinator the very amazing Maggie Lloyd.

Totally committed to running all 10 of our Treasure Time groups, Maggie started with us last year. As a mum to an ex-prem who is now 15 years old, Maggie is truly passionate about helping other families. Please click this link to read the full interview with Maggie on our website.

Thanks must also go to all those that have come into our head office and helped pack our Hospital Resource folders, and Books and Bubs program orders. Our products continue to go from strength to strength, with more hospitals coming on board to distribute them throughout their NICUs and Special Care Nurseries. We couldn’t do it without you.

If you can spare a few hours to help the team at our Hawthorn office, we are currently in need of some assistance with office admin during the week. We would love to hear from you. Please email Kelli or contact our office on 1300 697 736.

Follow this link to our web page about volunteering to find out about other volunteering opportunities available.

Firstly a big thank you to the hundreds of sewers and knitters who jumped on board to help with our latest projects, both were a huge success, the hospitals and families receiving the cot sheets, beanies & blankets were so thrilled.

If you would like to make some items for donation, like the gorgeous bears above, you can find ideas and patterns by following this link to our Pinterest boards.

Our DID YOU KNOW series have very kindly been written for us by Dr Carol Newham of Raising Premmies. Carol is passionate about supporting families with premature children. We are very grateful to her for working alongside us.

Please click this link to read the full article on our website.

We hope that with the end of the financial year fast approaching, you will consider a donation to assist us in continuing to provide our critical
As you know, we are a small charity, join us in helping these families, your generous donation will make a BIG Impact that is far reaching.

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
Please click here to make your tax gift.

Your feedback is important to us

We recently launched a survey in partnership with the Western Sydney University, as part of a pilot study we are working together in, it’s in regards to An exploration of the feeding experiences of parents of infants following hospital discharge. The survey is the first step and the response was fantastic with over 270 families getting involved. There is still time to complete the survey so please follow this link if you would like to support the program.

We are also conducting a survey concerning LLTF products and services. It’s very important to us to ensure everything we do is meeting the needs of the families we support. So, if you can spare a little time we would really appreciate you taking a few moments to complete the short survey. We'd love to get your valuable feedback.

Please follow this link to complete the survey

This year Life’s Little Treasures Foundation is thrilled to announce that Walk for Prems will be presented by Baby Bunting. A well loved, and well-known Australian retailer of baby goods for over 30 years, Life’s Little Treasures Foundation is proud of this exciting partnership and takes this opportunity to thank Baby Bunting for its support.

The 2016 Walk for Prems will be held on Sunday 23 October. Mark it in your diary and join hundreds of other families helping to raise funds for Life's Little Treasures Foundation. Each location provides a beautiful setting where, people not only do their part to support premature and sick babies by completing the walk but also enjoy the free children's entertainment, relax with a picnic and socialise with other families. For those of you who can not join us on the day, this year we will be hosting a virtual walk. Registrations open 1 July 2016.

Our wonderful corporate partner Medela, continue their support throughout 2016 so that we can maintain our services and provide more support to families. We are delighted to announce that, for the second year running, they will also be a Major Sponsor of the upcoming Walk for Prems.

Jarrod Percy, the Managing Director of Medela, summarises it perfectly;

“Both organisations strive to find innovative solutions to ease the parenting journey and are committed to providing information, education and support so that all parents are armed with the knowledge and confidence they need to make the best possible choices for their family. Together we hope to be able to reach even more families, and help raise awareness of what being born premature and sick really means”.

The Life's Little Treasures Foundation is Australia's foremost charity dedicated to providing support, friendship and information, specifically tailored for families of children born premature or sick.

The Foundation's services are available in hospitals (Neonatal Intensive Care Units and Special Care Nurseries) and in the community when families come home.

Having a child that is sick of premature can be a very traumatic rollercoaster ride and the Foundation strives to give families the support and assistance they need during this emotional time. If you know someone who has recently had a baby born premature or sick please forward our information to them. We can provide these families with an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on and a hand to support them.

Our Services

Books and Bubs Hospital Program
Treasure Time Playgroups
Guiding Parents Webinars
Downloadable Posters
Parent Stories
Walk for Prems

A Guiding Hand Parent Folder
Premature Baby Journal App
NICU Words App
Our resource packed Website
Facebook
24 Hour Parent Support Line
1300 697 736