KING Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) has celebrated World Prematurity Day with a Mother’s Honour Wall, featuring more than 550 WA mothers and babies.
Governor of WA and patron of the Women and Infants Research Foundation (WIRF) Kerry Sanderson unveiled the wall, which recognises the mothers and babies that have helped shape the hospital.
WIRF executive director John Newnham said the honour wall was a unique project, which would support research to prevent preterm birth.
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READ NOW“The honour wall is a key part of the hospital’s centenary celebrations, recognising King Eddie’s 100 years of delivering health care to the women, babies and families of Western Australia,” he said.
“All women whose babies were born or treated at KEMH have been invited to be a lasting part of the hospital’s centenary celebration through this project.”
Professor Newnham said proceeds from the wall would be used to support research to prevent preterm birth, the single largest cause of death and disability in children under five.
“In WA alone 2900 babies are born premature each year. Premmie babies require a raft of life saving technology to survive then thrive,” he said.
“After several decades of targeted research, we now have the knowledge to safely prevent preterm birth for many women and their pregnancies.”
Honour wall mums will be able to purchase gold or silver butterflies, colourful bunting or the digital honour wall, with all proceeds going towards WIRF research.
For more information on the honour wall visit www.wirf.com.au.