JAYNE Steinborner considers herself a mother of four – a girl and three boys.
With only two of the boys living, Jayne feels her losses every day.
Her first loss was Matthew who died during birth at 21 weeks in Adelaide 20 years ago, and she recalls a special room for families like hers, where they could have private time to themselves before coming out to face the world.
Her second loss was 13 years ago, when baby Talia died two weeks after birth at 27 weeks.
The aim of this year’s Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Ride for Isabel, with the support of the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, is to help families experiencing pregnancy loss.
Mrs Steinborner has participated in the Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Ride for Isabel as both a rider and volunteer more than seven times and is looking forward to this year’s event on August 27.
Foundation Fundraising and Marketing Manager Glenys Duncombe said the event was instigated by Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt, after he and wife Kerry suffered the loss of their first child, baby Isabel at 41 weeks in 2008.
“Pregnancy loss is very sad for those who experience it and we'd like to make that hospital experience more comfortable for those families,” Ms Duncombe said.
“Together with Curtis, our lovely sponsors, and the birth suite team at Cairns Hospital, we’re working on some special plans for those families,” she said.
Cairns Hospital Midwifery and Nursing Director Mary McGuinness said the aim from the funds raised was to create a room specifically to care for women and their families going through this loss, so they have a dedicated space with all the clinical support they need.
“I’ve done Ride for Isabel for many years and it’s an absolute delight to work with Curtis Pitt and the Foundation to help these families,” Mrs McGuinness said.
“It is very sad when a family undergoes pregnancy loss – no matter what stage it is at, and we as midwives support those families through some very difficult times and feelings. It is exciting to know that we’ll be able to make a difference to their comfort at that time,” she said.
Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Managing Director Georgina Twomey said they were delighted to partner with the Foundation again for such a worthy cause.
“We’ve been a sponsor from the beginning because we know this work is important and hope our contribution can make a difference,” Mrs Twomey said.
To register, visit https://bit.ly/FNQHFRideforIsabel2023
Photo: Alive Pharmacy Warehouse's Lucy Long, Mary McGuinness, Nicole Bailey, Simone Naughton, Kaylene Noble, Megan Rose, Remya Nair, Foundation Fundraising and Marketing Manager Glenys Duncombe, Jayne Steinborner, Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Managing Director Georgina Twomey.