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YGOH is endorsed by the Australian Tax Office as a deductible gift recipient.
There are roughly 10 times more stillborn babies than babies who die of SIDS each year, yet this statistic hasn't changed for years. That's roughly 2000 babies a year or six a day in Australia
Worldwide, 13 million babies are born early every year, including more than 45,000 Australian babies who are admitted to neonatal intensive care or special care units.
1 in 4 pregnancies in Australia ends in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
Preterm birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others
Please visit our supportive forum
There are roughly 10 times more stillborn babies than babies who die of SIDS each year, yet this statistic hasn't changed for years. That's roughly 2000 babies a year or six a day in Australia
Worldwide, 13 million babies are born early every year, including more than 45,000 Australian babies who are admitted to neonatal intensive care or special care units.
1 in 4 pregnancies in Australia ends in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
Preterm birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others
Please visit our supportive forum
There are roughly 10 times more stillborn babies than babies who die of SIDS each year, yet this statistic hasn't changed for years. That's roughly 2000 babies a year or six a day in Australia
Worldwide, 13 million babies are born early every year, including more than 45,000 Australian babies who are admitted to neonatal intensive care or special care units.
1 in 4 pregnancies in Australia ends in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
Preterm birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others
Please visit our supportive forum
There are roughly 10 times more stillborn babies than babies who die of SIDS each year, yet this statistic hasn't changed for years. That's roughly 2000 babies a year or six a day in Australia
Worldwide, 13 million babies are born early every year, including more than 45,000 Australian babies who are admitted to neonatal intensive care or special care units.
1 in 4 pregnancies in Australia ends in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
Preterm birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others
Please visit our supportive forum
There are roughly 10 times more stillborn babies than babies who die of SIDS each year, yet this statistic hasn't changed for years. That's roughly 2000 babies a year or six a day in Australia
Worldwide, 13 million babies are born early every year, including more than 45,000 Australian babies who are admitted to neonatal intensive care or special care units.
1 in 4 pregnancies in Australia ends in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
Preterm birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others
Please visit our supportive forum
There are roughly 10 times more stillborn babies than babies who die of SIDS each year, yet this statistic hasn't changed for years. That's roughly 2000 babies a year or six a day in Australia
Worldwide, 13 million babies are born early every year, including more than 45,000 Australian babies who are admitted to neonatal intensive care or special care units.
1 in 4 pregnancies in Australia ends in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
Preterm birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others
Please visit our supportive forum
There are roughly 10 times more stillborn babies than babies who die of SIDS each year, yet this statistic hasn't changed for years. That's roughly 2000 babies a year or six a day in Australia
Worldwide, 13 million babies are born early every year, including more than 45,000 Australian babies who are admitted to neonatal intensive care or special care units.
1 in 4 pregnancies in Australia ends in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
Preterm birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others
Please visit our supportive forum
There are roughly 10 times more stillborn babies than babies who die of SIDS each year, yet this statistic hasn't changed for years. That's roughly 2000 babies a year or six a day in Australia
Worldwide, 13 million babies are born early every year, including more than 45,000 Australian babies who are admitted to neonatal intensive care or special care units.
1 in 4 pregnancies in Australia ends in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
Preterm birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others
Please visit our supportive forum
There are roughly 10 times more stillborn babies than babies who die of SIDS each year, yet this statistic hasn't changed for years. That's roughly 2000 babies a year or six a day in Australia
Worldwide, 13 million babies are born early every year, including more than 45,000 Australian babies who are admitted to neonatal intensive care or special care units.
1 in 4 pregnancies in Australia ends in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
Preterm birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others
Please visit our supportive forum
There are roughly 10 times more stillborn babies than babies who die of SIDS each year, yet this statistic hasn't changed for years. That's roughly 2000 babies a year or six a day in Australia
Worldwide, 13 million babies are born early every year, including more than 45,000 Australian babies who are admitted to neonatal intensive care or special care units.
1 in 4 pregnancies in Australia ends in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
Preterm birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others
Please visit our supportive forum
There are roughly 10 times more stillborn babies than babies who die of SIDS each year, yet this statistic hasn't changed for years. That's roughly 2000 babies a year or six a day in Australia
Worldwide, 13 million babies are born early every year, including more than 45,000 Australian babies who are admitted to neonatal intensive care or special care units.
1 in 4 pregnancies in Australia ends in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
Preterm birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others
Please visit our supportive forum
There are roughly 10 times more stillborn babies than babies who die of SIDS each year, yet this statistic hasn't changed for years. That's roughly 2000 babies a year or six a day in Australia
Worldwide, 13 million babies are born early every year, including more than 45,000 Australian babies who are admitted to neonatal intensive care or special care units.
1 in 4 pregnancies in Australia ends in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
Preterm birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others
Please visit our supportive forum
There are roughly 10 times more stillborn babies than babies who die of SIDS each year, yet this statistic hasn't changed for years. That's roughly 2000 babies a year or six a day in Australia
Worldwide, 13 million babies are born early every year, including more than 45,000 Australian babies who are admitted to neonatal intensive care or special care units.
1 in 4 pregnancies in Australia ends in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
Preterm birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others
Please visit our supportive forum
There are roughly 10 times more stillborn babies than babies who die of SIDS each year, yet this statistic hasn't changed for years. That's roughly 2000 babies a year or six a day in Australia
Worldwide, 13 million babies are born early every year, including more than 45,000 Australian babies who are admitted to neonatal intensive care or special care units.
1 in 4 pregnancies in Australia ends in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
Preterm birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others
Please visit our supportive forum
There are roughly 10 times more stillborn babies than babies who die of SIDS each year, yet this statistic hasn't changed for years. That's roughly 2000 babies a year or six a day in Australia
Worldwide, 13 million babies are born early every year, including more than 45,000 Australian babies who are admitted to neonatal intensive care or special care units.
1 in 4 pregnancies in Australia ends in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
Preterm birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others
Please visit our supportive forum
There are roughly 10 times more stillborn babies than babies who die of SIDS each year, yet this statistic hasn't changed for years. That's roughly 2000 babies a year or six a day in Australia
Worldwide, 13 million babies are born early every year, including more than 45,000 Australian babies who are admitted to neonatal intensive care or special care units.
1 in 4 pregnancies in Australia ends in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death
Preterm birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others
Please visit our supportive forum
Honour the memory of your loved one, why not give a Gift of Hope to another family?
Every Gift Of Hope that is donated or sponsored is sent with a special gift tag attached to each journal with the wording
" Donated in Honour of" or "Donated in Memory of"
Introducing our Committee
| President | Rebecca Aziz |
| Vice President | Erin Carmody |
| Secretary | Ameer Soliman |
| Treasurer | Mohammed Aziz |
| Chairperson | Jonathan Marin |
| Event Co-ordinator |
Vickey Santoso-Montoya Peta Groth |
| Newsletter Editor | Janine Marin |
| Webmaster | Rebecca Phelan |
Rebecca Aziz - President and Founder
Rebecca has over 12 years experience in customer service, inventory management and retail management. Rebecca has worked for high profile Australian companies such as Telstra, Australian Geographic and most recently The Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Rebecca and her husband had a very long battle trying to conceive their first child, after it was discovered that Rebecca had a condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Initially they were told that they would 'never have children', but sought second and third opinions until through the help of another organisation the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association of Australia (POSAA) they learnt that there were other methods available for Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART). After 9 months of intensive herbal treatments they were overjoyed to finally see 2 pink lines appear, 6 years after initially trying to start their family. Early July 2007 Rebecca gave birth to a very healthy baby boy. She experienced a traumatic birth, that resulted in an emergency caesarian after 21 hours of labour when her son failed to progress and had it was discovered there was meconium in her waters. Thankfully he survived.
Rebecca returned to her position within the Commonwealth Bank 10 months after the birth of her son. After being back at work for only 2 months they were shocked and excited to learn that they were expecting their second child. After everything that they had been through 'this' was their little miracle baby. The pregnancy was quite normal, other than slight morning sickness early on. In November Rebecca, her husband and their son went along to their 20 week morphology ultrasound eager to find out what the sex of their 'miracle baby' was. They walked out knowing so much more than they ever thought would be possible. It was discovered that their little girl had a congenital limb difference. The ensuing days and weeks were filled with specialist appointments with genetic Doctors, Limb Specialists, counselors and there was no organisation that filled Rebecca and her family's need for support and information.
The loss of Yasminah was very sudden and unexpected, they had dreamed of a long happy life with their two children, but in an instant their world as they knew it was shattered. Rebecca and her husband had to adjust to a new normal. "It was a very dark, lonely time, people didn't know what to say or do so they all kept their distance. We were given varied information on support services available and our options in the early stages of our loss." Rebecca had to seek support and order resources like books from overseas organisations. Rebecca found comfort and healing in writing about her journey. "We have little memories of our short time with our precious daughter, two of my most treasured items are my journal and my scrapbook I created with memories from during our pregnancy. These allowed me to express my anguish, grief, helplessness and despair of the traumatic loss of my child. I wish we had taken more photos, known that we could get professional photos, hand and foot print moulds, and invited our friends and family to meet our daughter. These things would of made a difference".
Two months after losing Yasminah, the Aziz family received another miracle, they were pregnant again. It was then discovered at an early ultrasound that they were expecting identical twins. The pregnancy was considered high risk, not only because there were twins but because of Rebecca's obstetric history. The pregnancy was closely monitored, then when Rebecca was 28 weeks pregnant they learnt that her twins had developed Twin To Twin Transfusion Syndrome. Once again their world was thrown into disbelief as they now had two lives hanging in the balance. Rebecca remained under regular monitoring and at 31 weeks and 5 days her twins were delivered just over 8 weeks premature by emergency caesarian. "It was terrifying thinking that the same thing could happen again and I could lose another child or worse two." The identical twin girls remained in a neonatal intensive care unit for 4 weeks before finally coming home on Rebecca's birthday. Again Rebecca kept a journal as her constant companion between hospital and home, juggling her time between her husband and son at home, expressing breast milk to provide to her twins and visiting her daughters in hospital 2-3 times a day often into the late hours of the night. "It was very hard trying to spend as much time possible with my daughters in hospital whilst making sure my son was ok at home".
Rebecca has made it her personal mission that every parent who experiences the premature birth or loss of their child will receive the same level of care, support, information and resources from the moment their precious child is born too early or passes away. So that they are able to create lasting memories with their child, that there are no regrets and they have support and information easily at hand within Australia. When a parent loses a child they loose all their hopes, dreams and vision of the future. Their world changes in an instant, and will never be the same.
Erin Carmody - Vice President
Erin has worked at a K-12 co-educational school for over 5 years, holding positions in office administration and learning support. Erin has a keen interest in natural therapies, especially nutrition. She aspires to study nutritional medicine in the not too distant future.
Erin and her husband Michael married in March of 2010 after being together for 7 years. Six weeks after they were married, they found out they were pregnant with their first child. The first half of the pregnancy was straight forward despite Erin being monitored due to an autoimmune condition.
At their 19 week ultrasound, a severe kidney abnormality showed up in their unborn child. Erin and Michael were quickly referred to Royal North Shore for further scans. Their unborn son, Aiden, was found to have a enlarged multicystic left kidney and hydronephrosis (fluid filled) in his right kidney. As a complication of his minimally functioning kidneys, he had a significant reduction in amniotic fluid. Erin and Michael were told that Aiden’s prognosis after birth was poor.
From 20 weeks gestation, they had fortnightly scans to monitor Aiden’s progress. He continued to grow well but his fluid levels decreased considerably. At 27 weeks gestation, there was no more amniotic fluid around Aiden. It was at this point that a caesarean birth was decided on as it would be the safest option. The main concern for Aiden after birth was that his lung development would be affected due to the lack of fluid in utero.
At 36 weeks, Erin went into early labour and was rushed from her local hospital to RNS. Aiden was born via caesarean at 9:14 pm on the 21st December, 2010. He was immediately ventilated and taken to NICU to stabilise. The following morning, tests were carried out to assess Aiden’s condition. Erin and Michael were told that their son was in respiratory and renal failure and that he would not be able to breathe on his own. They made the hardest decision of their lives, to disconnect Aiden from the ventilator and spend what time they could without the tubes, machines and medication. Aiden Gary Carmody passed away 25 hours and 1 minute after he was born.
The initial support from social workers, friends and family was good but Erin and Michael found that the best support was provided by other parents and families that had experienced the loss of a child. Erin was introduced to Rebecca and Yasminah’s Gift Of Hope through a friend and received a Gift Of Hope pack with a personalised journal. When Erin saw that there was an opportunity to join YGOH, she knew it was a perfect opportunity to ‘pay it forward’. Erin hopes to provide ongoing support and understanding to other parents and families on their journey to healing.Ameer Soliman - Secretary
Ameer joins YGOH with a wealth of experience from a variety of industries. He holds an MBA and has successfully established, managed and sold over four businesses
Spanning the Retail, Services and Hospitality industries.
With a decade of event management experience, Ameer hopes to utilise his skills In creating and managing major events to promote the cause of this great charity.
His passion lies in helping others and bringing awareness to causes that affect Everyday people. Currently working at CPA Australia, he is hoping to work with his network
of professionals to take YGOH to the next level.
Mohammed Aziz - Treasurer
Mohammed has had over 12 years of retail, analysis, management and marketing experience, 10 of which was in the telecommunications industry. Mohammed is currently an operations manager for ANZ, ensuring the compliance of not only company policy but also government regulations. He is also currently completing a Bachelor of Business Management at the University of Western Sydney.
Mohammed has and continues to be a constant support and tower of strength to his wife Rebecca. From their own personal loss of their daughter Yasminah and the premature birth of their twins, Mohammed hopes that Yasminah's Gift Of Hope will be able to provide ongoing compassion and support to families through a traumatic time in their lives.
Jonathan Marin - Public Chairperson
Jonathon is a Sales and Marketing professional experienced in engaging and mobilising small to large teams through targeted coaching, mentoring, strategy and development. Dedicated to supporting people in business and in leadership roles through research and principles posted on my blog, and 1:1 advice.
Jonathon has successfully owned and operated 2 small businesses in video production and food manufacturing industries. Experienced in the production of small business plans, marketing frameworks and programs on regulatory compliance.
Jonathon is very passionate about the local community and his role as the chairman of Yasminah's Gift of Hope - an emerging charity supporting parents during premature birth, pregnancy and infant loss.
Volunteer members of the committee
Vickey Santoso-Montoya - Event Coordinator
Vickey has been heavily involved with Corporate Social Responsibility in addition to her management role at Dimension Data. Over her tenure she has progressed to become the NSW Team Leader of the Heads Heart and Hand Program and has assisted in leading interstate committees to host National Events such as Star Day, National Tree Day and Earth Hour. Vickey has thoroughly enjoyed all the challenges and experiences she has had with the program and wishes to continue assisting communities where possible. Vickey is very excited to be a part of Yasminah’s Gift Of Hope and is looking forward to investing her skills and experiences to take thischarity to further stages.
Peta Groth - Event Coordinator
Peta was the planning and development co-ordinator of the local playgroup and has volunteered with Yasminah’s Gift of Hope since it began running. She has 8 years of custom service and retail experience at Woolworths and Blockbuster Video and she is currently completing a writing course before returning to uni to study Public Relations and Event Management.
Janine Marin - Newsletter Editor
Janine is the Yasminah's Gift of Hope Newsletter Editor. Janine has a postgraduate degree in journalism and has worked in the media industry for over three years. "I've known Rebecca for years so when she asked me to help out for this great cause, I couldn't say "yes" quick enough". Janine wants to help Rebecca, help those that suffer pregnancy loss. "This is one charity the world needs."
Rebecca Phelan - Webmaster
Rebecca Phelan is the Yasminah’s Gift of Hope Webmaster. Rebecca is a Mum of 2, who enjoys volunteering and has volunteered her services to Polycystic Ovary Association of Australia (POSAA) and Yasminah’s Gift of Hope. She is also completing a Certificate III in Business Admininstration (Medical) in 2012.
