Mum Runs For Prems

Rebecca knows she will succeed in running a marathon, even though she has never participated in one before. Why? Two of Rebecca’s children were born extremely prematurely and spent months in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Rebecca found this experience not only physically exhausting but also emotionally draining and a real test of endurance for her and her babies. Having survived this experience Rebecca believes that a simple physical challenge like a marathon shouldn’t pose her any problems.

When Rebecca first decided to run a marathon she set about finding a charity to support and discovered NUMB on the internet. NUMB stands for Neonatal Unity for Mothers & Babies. NUMB is campaigning for mothers to have the option of ‘rooming in’ with their sick or premature babies for as much of their baby’s stay as they see fit. Currently the more common scenario sees new mothers discharged home, or to a nearby hostel as early as 48 hours post delivery and thereafter relegated to the status of ‘visitor’. NUMB believes that mothers and babies should not be separated and unlimited Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) should be seen as an integral, vital component of NICU support alongside the technology.

Rebecca who is from Taihape struggled with being separated from her babies in the NICU environment and is thrilled to be raising sponsorship money to support NUMB. She is running in the Auckland half marathon on the 29th of October. Sponsorship details are available on the NUMB website at www.numb.net.nz. Donations can be sent to NUMB at: P.O Box 10495, Hamilton, or to pay electronically please contact us at numb@numb.net.nz

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