Each year, around 15 million babies are born prematurely around the world, accounting for about one in 10 of all tots. Despite the amazing work of neonatal specialists, around one million of these infants do not survive, with prematurity being the leading cause of death in children below the age of five.
To raise awareness, as well as to celebrate the day, the Trust’s Neonatal Unit (NNU) team hosted a bake sale, offering a range of sweet, sticky and mouth-watering treats in order to tempt the taste buds of visitors and staff, as well as gather any loose change for the worthwhile cause, with all donations going to BLISS.
Helping in their own tiny way, a number of premature babies at Doncaster Royal Infirmary’s NNU were photographed for the occasion, snuggled in blankets and sporting a comfortable and warm woollen hat, with a purple World Prematurity Day purple ribbon attached.
The Neonatal Unit looks after premature and term babies who require intensive and specialist care that isn’t available elsewhere in the hospital. Babies can stay on the ward for a few hours, days, weeks and even months before going home.
Alison Boldy, Senior Nurse on the ward, said: “World Prematurity Day is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of something which affects families not just locally but worldwide – highlighting the amazing work of neonatal units across the country. I want to say a huge thank you to those that have helped to support our fundraising activities, as well as our little premature stars, and their parents, who make it all worthwhile.”
If you would like to get involved in fundraising for our hospitals, please contact the Communications Team on 01302 644244.