More than $40,000 was raised through our Walks.
Last September, Préma-Québec invited people in Sherbrooke, Quebec City and Montreal to walk for premature babies. Over $40,000 was raised to help the province's premature children and their families. As 2023 marked the organization's 20th anniversary, the Walk festivities culminated in a Family Celebration - a first for the organization!
A huge thank you to our partners, the elected officials in attendance, our guest of honour, Kim Clavel, our invaluable volunteers, and the hundreds of families who walked and collected donations for the cause!
Cocktail reception to celebrate our 20th anniversary
On February 9, 2023, we let ourselves be guided by the song of the bagpipes and transported to Scotland for an evening through the verdant mountains of the Highlands, its mythical legends and sumptuous castles.
The evening raised over $90,000 to support premature babies and their families.
Thanks to our honorary co-presidents Nathalie Vachon and Jean-François Crevier of Groupe Crevier.
And a big thank you to all our partners!
The breast pump program for Préma implemented in Sherbrooke
Préma-Québec has chosen the Fleurimont Hospital neonatal unit to donate 20 professional-level breast pumps. The equipment will be offered free to mothers delivering premature babies during the infant's hospital stay.
The Tire-lait-pour-préma program was first implemented two years ago in the neonatal units of Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital and those of Longueuil and Rouyn-Noranda. "The pilot project was extremely successful," says Préma-Québec founder and director Ginette Mantha. In all, 350 premature babies benefited from their mothers' milk.
Calls for better monitoring of premature babies
"In Quebec, we have no centralized data on prematurity," complains Dr. Marc Beltempo, Assistant Director of the Canadian Neonatal Network. We have no idea what's going on with these children, seven years or ten years later, and how we can provide better services to be more effective in prevention."
"We can't improve what we don't measure," adds Préma-Québec Executive Director Ginette Mantha, who would like to see the creation of a center of excellence.
Ginette Mantha, the founder of Préma-Québec, was named a Member of the Order of Canada.
For her efforts to improve the lives of premature newborns by providing support and resources to thousands of families, Ginette Mantha, Founder and Executive Director of Préma-Québec was announced as a Member of the Order of Canada on December 29, 2021. Awarded by Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, this is one of Canada's most prestigious civilian honours.
World Prematurity Day 2021
Throughout November, we're celebrating World Prematurity Day.
With the purchase of a Préma-Québec bag or bib, we will donate a bib to a premature baby currently hospitalized in the neonatal unit.
RESULT: 400 bibs donated. On behalf of all premature babies, thank you!
More services for severely premature babies requested in the region
Marie-Claude Dubois, mother of a baby girl born at 30 weeks, and Chantale Jalbert, mother of triplets born at 26 weeks, share their experiences.
CTV Report for World Prematurity Day
Testimony of Vincent Lalumière, born prematurely at 32 weeks with severe complications and now an adult, given as part of World Prematurity Day.