17/11/2025
💜 World Prematurity Day 💜
A note from our Managing Executive Officer, Ashleen O’Neill…
Today is a day very close to my heart.
My baby boy Billy was born 10 weeks early and fighting meningitis. Instead of taking him home, we began a 70-day NICU journey—70 days of monitors, fear, hope, and incredible strength from a tiny little warrior.
Leaving the hospital without him each night was heartbreaking. Navigating the NICU during COVID, while caring for my 18-month-old daughter, was overwhelming. But we made it. Billy made it. And every preemie baby I saw in that unit showed me what real courage looks like.
So today, I honour every family living this right now.
To the mums by incubators, the dads holding their breath, and the parents walking out with empty arms and full hearts—I see you. You’re not alone.
A huge thank you to the nurses, doctors, and NICU teams who become family during the hardest days.
This afternoon, our team was grateful to receive a donation of beautiful handmade preemie beanies from Community Corrections. These tiny beanies hold so much love and will bring comfort to the smallest fighters and their families.
💜 Thank you for helping us support our preemie babies and raise awareness on World Prematurity Day.
