Shining blue for River’s Gift

THIS Sunday, a decade after the loss of River Waddell to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), River’s Gift is asking the community to support its Shine Blue 10-year anniversary appeal.

River’s Gift was born out of tragedy to raise funds for SIDS research, to educate and advocate for a syndrome that is still one of the largest causes of death of children aged between from one month to one year of age.

“Approximately 1,000 babies have been lost since that morning we found River not breathing,” River’s mother and River’s Gift co-founder Alexandra Hamilton said.

“That number is astounding, and SUDI (Sudden and Unexpected Death in Infants), which includes SIDS, is still the largest cause of death of infants aged between one month and 12 months in Australia. That’s 1,000 families absolutely devastated and burying their precious child.

“We still lose approximately 100 babies a year, with a ripple effect on families and friends that spreads far and wide.

“Our 10 years have been full of tears and indescribable heartache, but it’s also been filled with friendship, love and support beyond anything we could ever have imagined.

“We are asking the community to donate to our 10-year anniversary appeal with every $1 tripled thanks to some incredibly generous Geelong businesses – Harwood Andrews, Harcourts North Geelong and Custom Neon.”

River’s Gift is asking individuals and businesses to support the campaign by making a donation and helping the charity continue with its world-leading SIDS research funding by raising $30,000 for a state-of-the-art genetic biobank.

Developed by the University of South Australia, the biobank comprises DNA from 25 babies who have died from SIDS.

It’s the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and one of only a few that exist in the world.

Molecular biologist and head of genetics at the Australian Centre for Precision Health, UniSA’s Professor Leanne Dibbens said the biobank would provide unprecedented opportunities to examine genetic factors that have contributed to SIDS.

The ground-breaking research will also help identify mechanisms involved in causing death from SIDS so that future work can stop SIDS from occurring at all.

“I would give anything not to have gone through the last 10 years without my son, but every day when I wake and speak to other parents who are absolutely destroyed by this loss, I know we have to push through,” Ms Hamilton said.

“This research is critical and for River’s 10th year angel anniversary, I can’t think of anything more valuable than being able to work towards answers.”

River’s Gift holds a gala ball each year but has been forced to cancel it for the past two years because of COVID-19 restrictions, resulting in about $200,000 lost in fundraising.

To support the Shine Blue appeal, head to the River’s Gift website between now and Sunday, November 7 to make your donation.