Made possible through the extraordinary generosity of the Western Australian community, the funding will support two community-based programs and 50 items of specialised medical equipment, strengthening care from pregnancy through to early childhood, including maternal and neonatal support.
With almost 8,000 babies born across St John of God Health Care hospitals in Western Australia, support from Telethon will help WA families during some of life’s most important moments.
St John of God Foundation Chief Executive Officer Bianca Pietralla said the Foundation worked in close partnership with hospital and service caregivers to identify priority needs and secure funding, ensuring the greatest possible impact for families across the state.
“This funding is a powerful example of what’s possible when community generosity is matched with clear clinical need,” Ms Pietralla said.
“We thank Telethon and the thousands of generous Western Australians whose donations help ensure babies and families receive timely, essential care across the state,”she said.
Supporting families before and after birth
Funding has been secured to expand the Moort Boodjari Mia Midwifery Outreach Program (MBM) at St John of God Midland Public Hospital, providing current/existing Midland patients culturally safe, community-based support for Aboriginal women and families during pregnancy and early parenting.
The funding will also support MBM ‘Safe Sleeping and Essentials Packs’, helping families create safer home environments for newborns and reducing the risk of sleep-related infant harm.
Life-saving equipment across WA hospitals
In addition to program funding, Telethon funding will deliver equipment across St John of God Health Care hospitals in Midland, Murdoch, Subiaco and Geraldton, including:
• Neonatal ‘Kangaroo Chairs’, supporting bonding and developmental care for premature and unwell babies
• Advanced ultrasound machines, improving diagnostic capability and maternal care
• ‘Giraffe Omnibed Carestations’ and neonatal resuscitation systems, providing controlled environments for critically ill newborns, and
• Jaundice meters, enabling faster, less invasive assessment for babies
Together, this extraordinary support will directly improve neonatal, maternal and paediatric care, empowering clinicians to deliver safer, more responsive care at the moments it matters most for Western Australia’s youngest and most vulnerable patients and their families.
St John of God Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to Channel 7 Telethon Trust and the generous Western Australian community whose compassion and support have made this possible.
Funding is expected to be received in early 2026, with equipment rollout and program delivery to follow shortly after.
Media enquiries:
Rachel Bruechle
St John of God Foundation
Ph: 08 6116 0940
E: [email protected]