Episode 31.
On episode 31 (Part 2 of the Running for premature babies podcast) we talk to Running for Premature Babies Founder and Director, Sophie Smith. 15 years ago Sophie and her late husband Ash were excited to be expecting the first of their children, triplet boys. At 21 weeks Sophie went into early labour. 5 days later her first born son Henry was born at 21 weeks. Henry lived for one precious hour and died in Sophies arms. It was expected that her next two babies would be born within 24 hours, but they defied the odds and Evan and Jasper were finally born at 24 weeks where they were told that the boys would have a 50% chance of survival.
Sophie shares with us the highs and lows of what those 82 heart-breaking days were like for her; the 58 days that she spent in the neonatal intensive care unit watching on as Evan and Jaspers fought for their lives.
At 10 days old Evan became very ill with a brain haemorrhage and was removed from his life support and died in Sophies arms. Jasper fought on and they had some wonderful bonding times together until at 58 days his lungs collapsed and, once again her precious child died again in her arms.
We discuss the impact this time had on the life of her and her husband Ash and how this led them to found Running For Premature Babies.
Since then, thousands of people have run for the cause, raising more than $4 million for lifesaving neonatal equipment and research giving thousands of premature babies a better chance of survival.
The Running for Premature Babies Foundation is a registered Australian Charity supporting neonatal units in hospitals around the country.
You can support the work of Running for Premature Babies anytime by creating your own challenge, donating or by participating in their upcoming Premmie Marathon Challenge in the RMA Team this November.
You can follow Running for Premature Babies on Facebook or on instagram. @runningforprems
This podcast is brought to you by fisiocrem Australia.