The countdown has officially begun for this year's Nine Telethon supporting Mater Little Miracles, which will be broadcast across Channel 9 and 9Now on Saturday 26 April.
The iconic event raises critical funds towards life-saving research, care and equipment at Mater – ensuring Queensland babies have the best possible start to life.
This year's Nine Telethon is off to a flying start after Health Minister Tim Nicholls announced a commitment of $1,500,000 on behalf of the Queensland Government.
Minister Nicholls said that it was an honour for the Crisafulli Government to launch this year's Nine Telethon with a $1.5 million donation.
"Queensland babies need and deserve the best possible care," Minister Nicholls said.
"Mater provides critical care for vulnerable babies from across the state, so I'm encouraging Queenslanders everywhere to support this cause and the dedicated frontline teams who care for our little miracles."
The Nine Telethon will give viewers an insight into the brave stories of Mater's miracle babies, their families and the Mater teams who support their inspirational health journeys.
Mater Foundation Chief Executive Andrew Thomas said this year's broadcast will include special performances by Australian music stars Tones & I and Mark Seymour.
"Mater and our frontline Mater Mothers' staff are incredibly grateful to Channel Nine for sharing the stories of many Mater Little Miracles, the Queensland Government for generously kick-starting the donations, and all our presenting partners," Mr Thomas said.
"We're sure that our Mater babies, parents and staff – supported by Tones & I and Mark Seymour – will provide an incredible show for Nine viewers.
"The Nine Telethon is off to a tremendous start and we're confident that big-hearted Queenslanders will give our Mater Little Miracles another giant lift on April 26."
Ipswich parents Georgia and Elliott Gillespie joined the launch to thank Mater for helping to save their newborn son Miles, who was born at Mater Mothers' Hospital on March 4.
During her pregnancy, tests revealed Mrs Gillespie was at risk of developing haemolytic disease, in which a mother's blood antibodies attack her baby's red blood cells, causing anaemia and potentially severe complications.
Baby Miles was monitored extensively at the Mater Centre for Maternal Fetal Medicine by specialist Dr Glenn Gardener and obstetrician Dr Kate Strawson.
While Miles was still in his mother's womb, Dr Gardener performed three life-saving intrauterine red blood cell transfusions into his umbilical cord.
Miles was delivered via a caesarean section at 37 weeks' and left hospital a week later.
"Miles came home last week and it was so special, his three doting big sisters were ready for that momentous day – as were we!" Mrs Gillespie said.
"The care we received was amazing – and shows why the Nine Telethon is such a great cause."
Managing Director for Nine Queensland and Northern New South Wales, Kylie Blucher, said the Telethon target for this year was $9m, after $6.79m was raised last year.
"Babies like Miles are the reason we put our heart and soul into every single Nine Telethon," Ms Blucher said.
"Every year Channel Nine's Telethon highlights what amazingly compassionate people Queenslanders are and how much they appreciate the hard work the Mater does, day in and day out.
"We know this year will be no different and we can't wait for the response from our viewers."
Support Queensland's littlest lives by making a donation at 9telethon.com.au.
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