Kaarene Fitzgerald
Kaarene Noelle Fitzgerald, AC (December 12, 1944 – May 24, 2003) was an Australian advocate for the study and treatment of Sudden Infant Death. Fitzgerald founded the Sudden Infant Death Research Foundation (known as SIDS & Kids) on July 11, 1977.[1] The organization began the day after her son Glenn died from an unexplainable death, known as a Sudden Infant Death. This was the first non-government organization of its kind in Australia. In 1999 she was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia for her services to the community and for "coordination of world-wide efforts to develop and research educational strategies to reduce sudden infant death in infancy".[2]
She was responsible for the development of a direct referral system involving the Foundation, the Health Department, State Coroner's office, Ambulance Service and hospitals.[1] In 1988, Fitzgerald established Red Nose Day[3] as a fundraising activity and convinced other state based SIDS bodies to join the fundraising activity. It became a signature national fundraising "day" in Australia.
Internationally, Fitzgerald co-founded SIDS International and was the inaugural executive[4] and then chairman of the group from 1989 - 1992. She then developed a network of research coordination - the Global Strategy Task Force.[5] In 1991 Fitzgerald was approached to help establish the Monash Research Foundation for Reproduction and Development. This group became the Ritchie Centre.[6] Fitzgerald's commitment to research was honored with the Ritchie Centre's annual Kaarene Fitzgerald public forum.[7]
Fitzgerald was born in Te Kuiti, New Zealand and died in Melbourne, Australia on May 24, 2003, after a long battle with cancer. She had four children - Karl, Anita, Lacey & Michael.
Awards
- Bowater Scott Achievement Award 1982
- Australian Jaycees Five Outstanding Young Australians (Victorian Award 1983, Australian Award 1983)
- Companion in the Order of Australia, Australia Day Honours List, 1999
- Avon-Woman’s Day Spirit of Achievement Award 1999
- Australian of the Year Awards 2000 - one of five Australian Achievers.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "SIDS & Kids National". Sidsandkids.org. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ↑ "Australia Day Honour Roll". IUtsanhonour.gov.au. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ↑ "Red Nose Day Appeal" (PDF). Sidsandkids.org. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ↑ International Society for the Study and Prevention of Perinatal and Infant Death (ISPID), Inc. "SIDS International". Ispid.org. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ↑ International Society for the Study and Prevention of Perinatal and Infant Death (ISPID), Inc. "the Global Strategy Task Force". Ispid.org. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ↑ "Ritchie Centre". Monashinstitute.org. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ↑ "Kaarene Fitzgerald Lecture". Theritchiecentre.blogspot.com.au. Retrieved 5 November 2014.