Six babies per day are stillborn in Australia, 2190 babies per year.
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Those figures are higher than the national road toll and yet stillbirth prevention and research receives no government funding.
When they host the Shine for Samuel Golf Day on February 11, Camperdown parents Darren and Samantha Fox will be hoping to bring these statistics to the forefront of people’s minds.
After saying goodbye to their son Samuel who was born without breath at 32 weeks in March 2016, the pair have vowed to bring much-needed attention to the cause.
“We are hoping to create awareness about the Stillbirth Foundation,” Mrs Fox said. “And raise some much-needed funds for research, advocacy and prevention.”
The Shine for Samuel Golf Day, to be held at the Camperdown Golf Club, is an all-ages event including 4-ball ambrose golf, food, gift-bags, raffles and prizes.
“The day is about honouring and remembering our baby son who isn’t with us,” Mrs Fox said. “But it’s also about bringing people together in a fun environment to celebrate his life”.
Following their own experience, the Fox’s were disheartened to learn that stillbirth research receives no Government funding.
‘We were saddened to find through the loss of Samuel that the incidences of stillbirth are much higher than any of us are aware and that investigations need much work,” Mrs Fox said. ”There are so many grey areas.
“We had a low risk pregnancy, did all the right things, we had a perfect son, growing just as he should have been, and no answers as to why he is not with us.
“Events such as ours may help people understand that it is okay to talk about our babies and the experience of stillbirth,”she said. “Without the talk, stillbirth prevention will not have the attention it deserves, or needs”.
Mr Fox said he hoped the February event would generate some much-needed attention.
“We hope that the Shine for Samuel golf day continues to create a legacy for our son and highlight an issue that requires awareness,” he said. “With awareness we hope that dedicated focus and attention will follow”.
The Shine for Samuel Golf Day runs from 8.30am to 5pm. All proceeds from the day go to Stillbirth Foundation Australia.
