red nose
The organisation has grown from small volunteer self-help roots into a vital and vibrant organisation that supports bereaved families and educates parents, health professionals and the community throughout Australia.
the origins of the sudden infant death research foundation
Since its inception it has funded scientific research, changed policy and practice by educating health professionals and the community, saved the lives of thousands of babies through the delivery of evidence-based health promotion to reduce infant and child death, and supported bereaved families of children who die suddenly and unexpectedly from any cause.
Under Kaarene’s leadership, the perception of SIDS changed and there has been a significant shift in how bereaved families are treated during those initial devastating days following the death of their child.
In recognition of Kaarene’s international leadership in research, Red Nose established a Kaarene Fitzgerald New Investigator Award that is presented at the bi-annual ISPID/ISA International Conference.
Today our ‘Sleep Safe, My Baby’ public health program is one of the most successful, non-government funded public health campaigns in Australia. Thousands of Safe Sleeping brochures and other information are provided to new parents, hospitals, health centres, childcare centres and others at no cost. This program has resulted in an 80% reduction in sudden infant deaths.
Over its history, Red Nose has been an innovator in bereavement support and community education on both the national and international stage and this will continue into the future.
To quote a long time employee, All of this is the monumental outcome from the death of one very small, very loved baby ~ Judith Rochester.
1977 to present
Innovation and resolve have always been our key strengths and the following milestones highlight these achievements.
1977 – 1998
- Victorian organisation founded in 1977 by Kaarene Fitzgerald following the death of Glenn Nelson Fitzgerald on Sunday 10 July, one of 18 Victorian babies to die that July.
- SIDA (Sudden Infant Death Association) NSW founded in 1977 by a group of parents who experienced the death of a baby from SIDS.
- Western Australian SIDS organisation founded by a group of parents who experienced the death of a baby from SIDS in 1977
- The Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Association of South Australia Inc formed by a group of parents in October 1977. Mary Zollo was founding President. Her commitment and drive following the death of her son Robert, helped to establish an organisation that has saved the lives of thousands of babies and funded millions of dollars in research.
- Following the death of their son, Gary and Jenny Hamilton identify the need for support and information for bereaved parents in the Hunter Region of NSW. Clara Foster became the driving force for the association following the death of her son in 1979. In 1981-82 the Newcastle organisation registered as the Sudden Infant Death Association Newcastle and District.
- First Red Nose Day in 1997 – first signature day in Australia with 1 million red noses sold in the first year
- After Hours Telephone Support Service established
- First Emergency Responders’ Manual launched
- Reducing the Risks health promotion campaign begins and more than 200,000 Reducing the Risk brochures distributed with translations into other languages
- Global Strategy Task Force commences
- Regional bereavement support established with Barwon Paediatric Bereavement Program at Geelong
- Expansion of service to include other sudden and unexpected causes of death
- Event Scene Investigations for all sudden infant deaths in Victoria and paediatric pathologist funded by SIDRF
- Bereavement support booklets by families for families developed
- Support groups and Parent Supporter training established
1999 – 2010
- Perinatal death becomes the major source of notifications to the bereavement support service
- Regional bereavement support established in Grampians based at Ballarat
- Treasured Babies’ Program established in 2002
- The Kaarene Fitzgerald Lectures and Research Fellowship established in 2005 through the Monash Institute for Medical Research
- Walk to Remember annual event launched in 2009
- Collaboration with Victorian Maternal Child Health Nurses on Safe Sleeping policy and training
- SOS (SIDS focussing On Stillbirth) Forum hosted by NSW in 2001
- Joint venture Environmental Tobacco Smoke Consortium established 2001 in NSW
- Representation in the activities of Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ), Perinatal Mortality Special Interest Group and International Stillbirth Alliance (ISA).
- Development of resources for the CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) communities
- Reducing the Risk of SIDS in Aboriginal Communities (RROSIAC) program established in 2005
- Red Nose Goes Green clothing collection program established in Victoria in 2008
- SIDSwa Annual Red Nose Day Ball rated in top 10 social events in 2002
- SIDSwa incorporated with SANDS in 2000; SIDAnsw merges with SANDS (NSW) (Stillborn and Neonatal Death Support) to become SIDSnsw and later SIDS and Kids NSW in 2002
- Collaboration with SOS and Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ) on national guidelines and standards for care and management of families experiencing stillbirth.
2011 to present
- SIDS and Kids Victoria and SIDS and Kids NSW merge in August 2012 to become SIDS and Kids NSW and Victoria and Peter Kaye becomes first Chair of the merged entity
- Representation on ISA (International Stillbirth Alliance) Board
- SIDS and Kids NSW and Victoria changes name to SIDS and Kids Limited in 2014
- SIDS and Kids WA merged with SIDS and Kids Limited in November 2014
Reviews
“Amazing service. Support groups available and counseling as often as required.”
“What can i say sids (red nose with great help and inspiration when my son died steven mark croucher mackenzie”
“SIDS and kids really helped when I lost my son in 2010 they sent a lady to talk to me and where really helpful”
“The councillors have been a fantastic help to us in our time of grief”
“I lost my son Matthew to SIDS on April 7,2014. My husband and I also have a 9 year old daughter. We live in the United States. Your website is the only place I have been able to find any materials to help me help my daughter. THANK YOU! It seems as if no one provides any assistance to older children who have lost their baby siblings. We have been living a nightmare since our Matthew was called home. I appreciate your dedication to all the families who are walking this awful path. I’m sure you do more than I’m aware of too considering I’m half way around the world but your website has been so helpful to our family. God bless you all.”
