The National SIDS Council of Australia, trading as SIDS and Kids, is a high-profile and well-respected not-for-profit organisation that boasts an enviable history of success. SIDS and Kids is dedicated to saving babies' lives through the elimination of sudden and unexpected infant deaths, and supporting bereaved families. We deliver on our vision through world class education, research, evidenced based intervention and advocacy.
It comprises a National Office based in Melbourne and nine Member Organisations (MOs) based in the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Hunter Region of NSW, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.
THE NATIONAL BOARD MEMBERS
Mrs Jennie Cameron (Chair)
Professor Paul Colditz (Deputy Chair)
Mr Alan Kennedy (Treasurer)
Mr Graham Henderson (Secretary)
Ms Deborah Gardiner-Munro
Mr Don Richardson
Mr Jeremy Hoslin
SIDS and Kids SAFE SLEEPING PROGRAM
Over the past 14 years SIDS and Kids, through our health promotion program SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping, has been instrumental in reducing the infant mortality rate by around 84%.
In 1999, based on our success in reducing SIDS and in response to community demand, our member organisations broadened their bereavement services to support families and the community following stillbirth and the sudden and unexpected death of infants and young children regardless of the cause. At the same time we broadened our research focus to include stillbirth. In 2002 a new name, SIDS and Kids, was adopted to reflect our expanded charter.
While SIDS and Kids has successfully committed itself to research into the possible causes of SIDS and an education program derived from the research, we are now in a position to:
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Advocate for and fund research into stillbirth |
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Maintain the focus on SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping |
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Provide bereavement support and counselling for families who have experienced stillbirth or the sudden and unexpected death of a child, whatever the cause, from 20 weeks gestation to 6 years of age (in Tasmania bereavement support is provided up to two years) |
SIDS DEFINITION ACHIEVES
NATIONAL CONSENSUS
In March 2004, SIDS and Kids hosted the first National SIDS Pathology Workshop in Canberra. The Workshop brought together paediatric and forensic pathologists from each state and territory to discuss SIDS diagnosis.
The goals of the Australian SIDS Pathology Workshop were to obtain a consensus among paediatric and forensic pathologists in Australia for a common definition of SIDS and a recommended standard autopsy protocol for infant deaths.
| “The sudden and unexpected death of an infant under 1 year of age, with onset of the lethal episode apparently occurring during sleep, that remains unexplained after a thorough investigation including performance of a complete autopsy, and review of the circumstances of death and the clinical history. |
RED NOSE DAY
The organisation is largely self-funded through the Red Nose Day Campaign and associated activities. Red Nose Day is the cornerstone of SIDS and Kids fundraising Australia wide. It is widely acknowledged as the first “signature” day of its kind in Australia. The concept was introduced as a fundraiser in 1988 and is all about having fun for a serious cause. Funds raised are used for a wide range of family support programs, community education and research.
Since its humble beginnings, Red Nose Day has grown to become one of Australia’s highest profile fundraising days with a 97% prompted recognition rate.
The campaign runs primarily throughout the month of June, culminating in Red Nose Day on the last Friday of the month. A range of quality novelty merchandise forms the basis of our fundraising to the public through partnerships with key retailers. In 2007 our National Retail Partners included Best & Less, Mitre 10 and The Warehouse Group.
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