Over 200 Runners Unite in Purple for Premature Babies at Nike Melbourne Marathon
This yearโs Nike Melbourne Marathon will see more than 200 runners proudly wearing purple singlets as they take to the streets to save the lives of sick and premature babies. These dedicated individuals are part of the Running for Premature Babies team, raising funds for urgently needed neonatal equipment for hospitals around Australia.
For many team members, this cause is deeply personal. Theyโre parents of premature babiesโsome living, some lostโhealthcare workers in neonatal units, and even survivors of premature birth themselves. They understand better than most how vital access to life-saving NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) equipment is.
Among them is Simon Mott, whose motivation is heartfelt.. His twin nieces, Beatrice and Audrey, were born 14 weeks early in March and are currently being cared for in at Monash Hospital. Thanks to the state-of-the-art equipment availableโsome of it funded by Running for Premature Babiesโboth girls are defying the odds.
Now nine weeks old, the twins have already endured more medical interventions than most will in a lifetime: blood transfusions, cannulas, lumbar punctures, antibiotics, X-rays, ultrasounds, echocardiograms, and countless heel pricks. Their mother, Alana, calls them โthe bravest, strongest little fighters,โ and says the family is immensely proud of their progress.
The good news is that Beatrice and Audrey have recently graduated to the Special Care Nursery after nine weeks in intensive care. โItโs such a joy to finally dress them in clothes and see them sleeping in open cots after so long in humidicribs,โ says Alana.
Sheโs also incredibly grateful for Simonโs commitment to run the marathon in their honour. โSimonโs generosity and determination to support our girlsโ NICU journey is truly inspiring. Weโre so thankful for his dedication. His fundraising will not only honour Audrey and Beatriceโs fight, but also help give other premature babies the same life-saving start.โ
To learn more about Running for Premature Babies, visit www.runningforprematurebabies.com.
