We have joined the 2024 Canberra Day Appeal to raise much needed funds for our charity!

This year, the Canberra Day Appeal’s 48-hour Hands Up for Canberra Giving Day begins on Wednesday, March 6. So please, give where you live and donate here during the 48h Giving Day donation drive.

Want to give now?
You don't have to wait - donate today!

Your donation will be doubled

Every $1 you donate will become $2 with matched funding available for the first $2,500 we fundraise ($5,000 total)

Please help us reach our goal #HandsUp4CBR

** Tally above includes matched funding and donations. Matched funds have been provided by Hands Across Canberra and the Chief Minister's Charitable Fund.

About Us

Miracle Babies Foundation is Australia’s leading not for profit organisation supporting premature and sick newborns, their families and the hospitals that care for them. Our NurtureProgram offers peer support to assist families throughout their entire journey, from birth, throughout their hospital journey and for years beyond.

Every year in Australia, 48,000 babies are born premature or sick and sadly, up to 1,000 babies will lose their fight for life.

How your donation will help

Donations will go toward piloting a more intensive in-hospital parent peer support service in Centenary Hospital for Women and Children’s NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for families facing the traumatic and emotionally-challenging journey of having a baby born premature or critically ill, and spending weeks or often months watching their newborn fight for their life.

Having your baby enter the world not as expected can be life-changing and the impacts can last a lifetime.

• Parents of premature babies are at increased risk of PTSD, Post-Natal Depression and anxiety
• Babies are at increased risk of disabilities, behavioural challenges and developmental delays

The wellbeing of the entire family unit it critical to ensure that these vulnerable babies have the best chance at thriving.

Through this NurtureTime service, a support worker who has been through this journey with their own baby and who has completed mental health first aid training, will visit families in the NICU three times per week to provide support, guidance, hope and information whilst in the hospital. 

Parents, family and friends can ask questions, share their thoughts and feelings, knowing the support worker has a shared experience.

The outcome:

- Increase in mental wellbeing amongst families with babies born premature or sick in the NICU

- Empowerment and increased understanding of the NICU journey and its challenges for families – increasing confidence and ability to cope

- Greater social connection and a strong support network for ACT families going through this unique and isolating experience

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