OARA Ltd.

13/01/2026

As part of OARA’s objective to support research into OA/TOF, we would like to share EAT’s global survey to better understand the experiences, challenges and needs of people with with OA/TOF.

Your participation is essential to ensure that the patient and family voice is heard by international medical experts and reflected in future care.

The survey can be found at https://redcap.slms.ucl.ac.uk/surveys/?s=89RY77RTHDN7AMAY or please visit www.eat-federation.org.

Thank you!

25/12/2025

We wish the OARA community a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We look forward to an exciting 2026!

25/11/2025

OARA is proud to announce that Kaytie Overdyk has been appointed onto the OARA Board. Katie brings lived experience onto our Board and will be able to provide insights into how we can better support our community. Congratulations Kaytie!

15/07/2025

Sydney Children’s Hospital is involved in a leading research study being conducted by A/Prof Usha Krishnan looking at how the stomach works in children with Oesophageal atresia (OA).

Children with OA often have issues with stomach function in addition to reflux which affects their feeding. The research is designed to explore whether the new technology, a high-resolution Electrogastrography (Gastric Alimetry), has diagnostic utility in OA patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. Gastric Alimetry is a non-invasive technique similar to (ECG) or ‘heart trace’, in which sensors are applied to the skin to record the natural electrical activity of the stomach before, during and after a meal.

The aim of study is to determine whether understanding how the stomach works in OA patients will help us individualise and target treatment and thereby improve clinical outcomes.

We are looking for OA patients who are 5 years and above in age. If you are interested please contact Samantha.kelly1@health.nsw.gov.au.

Thank you from the OARA team!

06/06/2025

OARA is pleased to announce that it has recently made a generous donation to Perth Children’s Hospital to support the care of their OA/TOF patients. We look forward to hearing about their continued success in treating OA/TOF patients!

04/05/2025

INoEA 2025 has now wrapped up in Istanbul! Lots of interesting insights but also a lot more research for the future!

Also, stayed tuned for some exciting OARA funding announcements in the next few weeks!

03/05/2025

Over the last couple of days at INoEA, many presenters have focused on Quality of Life. It’s an important concept to discuss with your medical professionals as part of your care program.

02/05/2025

OARA had the opportunity to present reflections on the transition from child to adult OA/TOF care at INoEA.

Key points emphasised the importance of:

- Developing a plan for the transition from child to adult care
- Fostering independence from an early age
- Empowering children to ask questions; and
- Proactively addressing the differences in adult care services.

02/05/2025

At this morning’s session at the INoEa conference, we heard about the impact of OA/TOF on the mental health and wellbeing of parents. A key message was that parents should know where they can go for help and support from appropriately qualified professionals.

01/05/2025

We are at the INoEA conference from Istanbul over the next couple of days! We’ll provide some key updates from leading specialists in OA/TOF!

29/09/2024

OARA is keen to understand the matters that are important to you. We would greatly appreciate it if you can please take some time to complete the following survey.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Oesophageal Atresia Research Association (OARA) exists to support children and families in Australia born with Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula/Oesophageal Atresia (TOF/OA). Key areas of OARA’s work include supporting medical research into TOF/OA, and clinical programs within hospitals that special...

01/08/2024

OARA would like to say a big thank you to Ethan and St Clementine of Rome School in Bulleen for their efforts in making a kind donation to OARA. Ethan was born with a TOF/OA short gap.

Without their generous support, OARA could not continue to support the many programs and initiatives that benefit the TOF/OA community across Australia!

Thanks Ethan and St Clementine of Rome School!