Light it up Purple 2020

Each year we co-ordinate purple lighting throughout WA to join the wave of light sweeping the globe on World Prematurity Day, to shine a light on the global issue of preterm birth, affecting some 15 million annually. We would encourage you to get out and about on 17 November. Take some photos with your families and don’t forget to tag us so that we can share through our channels @tinysparkswa

Venues joining us to ‘Light it up Purple’ include:

• Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre*

• Perth Cultural Centre near James St Amphitheatre*

• Parliament House

• Mandurah Bridge

• Council House

• Yagan Square including water feature*

• Bell Tower

• Perth Concert Hall*

• Perth Children’s Hospital*

• Busselton Civic Centre*

• King Edward Memorial Hospital

• Trafalgar Bridge, East Perth

• Broome Water Tower*

• Optus Stadium

• Matagarup Bridge

• Perth General Post Office*

• Elizabeth Quay

• SJOG Hospital Bunbury*

• ECU Joondalup*

• Mount Street Bridge*

• Sky Ribbon*

• Graham Farmer Freeway Tunnel*

(* denotes first time participation in 2020)

We truly appreciate the regional shires who have embraced this opportunity! Broome, Mandurah, Busselton, thank you so much!!

Don’t forget to share your story with your family and friends throughout Neonatal November.

Thank you for your generous support!

November Coffee Morning

We welcome you to join us for a cuppa and chat on Monday November 2 at The Boatshed Cafe, South Perth foreshore from 10am to 11:30am. This is an opportunity to get together to connect and chat about high-risk pregnancy, bedrest, the neonatal unit and the challenges our 'tiny sparks' face when growing up. Everyone is welcome. Please look for our mascot Hopper and our sign on the table. Crafty Creators are also most welcome to attend and pass along any of their items in person. Please RSVP via our Facebook event page so that we can keep an eye out for you.

Kalparrin needs your input

Our friends at Kalparrin need your help!

10 minutes is all it will take. If you are a Kalparrin member (it’s free!) and can help them out, they’d love to hear from you so that they can continue to review and refine the services and support that they bring to the community. Your opinion is KING so please, if you can, spend 10 minutes to tell them what you need by completing the survey. It will help them shape the future of the Kalparrin Community.

Telethon Kids Institute Connect Launch

We were delighted to attend the launch of CONNECT at Telethon Kids Institute this evening.

We heard from Anne McKenzie about her vision for consumer engagement and the CONNECT program. Prof Jonathan Carapetis Executive Director explained he knew from the start how essential it is to partner with consumers. Prof Fiona Stanley shared her extensive experience connecting with consumers and how she began a SANDS group in her lounge room.

Catherine Hughes shared a consumer perspective, her story and the mutual benefit she has gained by being involved with Telethon Kids. Cath was the first to join CONNECT and sign the member agreement.

Closely followed by our Cofounder Amber. Amber contributes to Telethon Kids as Chair of the Preterm Consumer Reference Group, on the Steering Committee for the Wal-yan Respiratory Centre and in other working groups ensuring the views of the preterm community are heard. She works closely with Co-Head of the Children’s Lung Health Team Dr Shannon Simpson, pictured.

We wish to congratulate Telethon Kids on the launch of this truly incredible program and we encourage everyone interested in research to sign up. They are to be commended for their efforts to engage consumers, listen deeply and change the future so we can all raise happy, healthy kids!

October Coffee Morning

We welcome you to join us for a cuppa and chat on Monday October 5 at Waldecks Kingsway, 173 Wanneroo Road, Kingsway from 10am to 11:30am. This is an opportunity to get together to connect and chat about high-risk pregnancy, bedrest, the neonatal unit and the challenges our 'tiny sparks' face when growing up. Everyone is welcome. Please look for our mascot Hopper and our sign on the table. Crafty Creators are also most welcome to attend and pass along any of their items in person. Please RSVP via our Facebook event page so that we can keep an eye out for you.