Media Release:

"A Celebration of Life" -
NEO NATAL UNIT Major Ball Fundraiser -
CALL for AUCTION ITEMS

Help raise funds needed to purchase a NEW Brainz Monitor and urgent upgrade of the life saving ventilation fleet in the Neonatal Unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.

Over 700 babies are transferred to the Royal Children Hospital's Neo Natal Unit (NNU) every year, over 40% undergo major surgery, with medical services and disciplines only available at the RCH. The NNU provides highly specialised care to the sickest newborn infants from all over Australia and the Pacific Islands.

• Each year, over 700 babies are transferred to the NNU from various maternity hospitals by the Newborn Emergency Transport Service (NETS)
• Over 40% of the babies undergo major surgery
• Over 300 babies receive artificial ventilation via mechanical respirators
• Most of the babies are seen by specialist doctors from the many medical disciplines available only at the Royal Childrens Hospital Melbourne
• The highly complex pediatric investigative services include MRI, CT scans, digital angiography, fluroscopy, edoscopy, electroencephalography, metabolic and laboratory tests, echocardiography and cardiac catheter which are not available at other hospitals

The major fundraising event for the NNU is the Annual "A Celebration of Life" Gala Ball, proudly sponsored by Crown Limited, which will be held on Thursday 10th September 2009 at The Palladium, Crown Towers, Melbourne.

The event will attract many VIP guests and supporters including former Western Bulldogs Football Club Captain Chris Grant who will speak publically for the first time about his first-hand experience in the Neonatal Unit at the RCH with son, Ollie (pictured).

We are aiming to raise $100k for contribution towards new ventilation equipment for the NNU.

How You Can Participate

Donate Auction Items
We are urgently seeking items for our Silent/Main Auctions and Raffle at the Ball. Any items you can donate would be greatly appreciated - large, small, goods, services, experiences, tickets, "money can't buy" items, signed merchandise, etc.

Auction Items need to be secured by end July 2009 please.

For an official Pledge Form contact: donna.aranyi@rch.org.au

Buy Tickets to the "Celebration of Life" Gala Ball
Host: Jane Flemming and celebrity dads share their experiences of the RCH and "Fatherhood" including: Chris Grant, Paul Dimattina, Nathan Thompson, Brendan Fevola and more.

Over 500 guests expected. BJORN AGAIN will be perform.

Mum Zone Release Date: 19th May 2009

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