Geelong shines blue for River’s Gift

THE Geelong community has shone blue and raised more than $63,000 for Australia’s leading SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) research funding charity River’s Gift.

More than 100 workplaces, schools and individuals proudly wore a transferrable blue tattoo on their hand on November 7 to support the Shine Blue campaign.

All funds raised will assist with the continued development of vital genetic SIDS research at the University of South Australia.

This year marked the 13th anniversary of the passing of four-month-old baby River Waddell to SIDS.

Between 100 and 130 babies die from SIDS in Australia each year, with the cause of many of these cases still unknown.

River’s father and River’s Gift co-founder Karl Waddell thanked the community for their support of the cause.

“For nearly 13 years, we’ve been searching for answers as to why we lost our healthy son,” he said.

“Genetic research may hold the key to saving future lives.”

Professor Leanne Dibbens said the university’s genetic biobank would allow them to analyse DNA from SIDS babies to identify genetic causes.

“By finding these, we can test newborns to identify those at risk and monitor them closely in their first year.”

Advertising for the campaign included the generous provision of complimentary digital signage by Gawk Outdoors, in Torquay, Ballarat and Bendigo.

Additionally, real estate signage featured throughout Geelong in the weeks leading into the campaign, donated by Harcourts North Geelong.

For more on River’s Gift and to donate, head to riversgift.org