Kew family aims to raise cash for Stillbirth Foundation Australia

THIS couple from Melbourne’s inner east will mark the first birthday of their late son by raising money and awareness about stillbirths.

Anne-Maree Polimeni and Alan Wilson are running a special event in Kew on what would have been the first birthday of their son Rafael. The couple are pictured with their children Jude, 4, and Luis, 7. Picture: Stuart Milligan

FOR Kew parents Anne-Maree Polimeni and Alan Wilson, the first birthday of their third child, a son named Rafael, will be filled with sadness.

In November last year, Rafael Alexander Wilson was stillborn.

But the family has banded together to use the occasion to raise awareness of stillbirth, which affects one in 135 babies in Australia.

The Rafael’s Reach Cocktail Party, to be held on November 26 at Sacred Heart Church Parish Hall in Kew, will coincide with Rafael’s birthday and raise money for the Stillbirth Foundation Australia.

“We feel very strongly about raising money for stillbirth research,” Ms Polimeni said.

“We need to do this to both grieve and heal. We have two other children, Luis (7) and Jude (4).

“As parents, we have a responsibility to our sons. We need to teach Luis and Jude resilience and show them that we will never forget Rafael, but we can get through this tragedy.

“We also need to ensure Rafael’s legacy so that he is not forgotten.

“If we can prevent this from happening to one other family then we know that Rafael’s short life had a purpose.”

Every day in Australia, on average, six babies are stillborn. In about 40 per cent of the cases, the cause of death remains unknown.

Stillbirth Foundation Australia general manager Victoria Bowring said events such as these were a “lifeline for the foundation”.

“It seems so grossly unfair that it is families who have been through such a traumatic experience that are at the end of the day funding the solution and they do so very graciously,” Ms Bowring said.

“We receive no government funding at all. We know that a third (of stillbirths) are preventable and we need is funding so we are able to the message across.”

To donate, click HERE. To book tickets to the cocktail party, click HERE.