Queensland’s generosity shines in the 2024 Nine Telethon, supporting Mater Little Miracles with vital funds for neonatal care.
The 2024 Nine Telethon has achieved a monumental success by gathering funds totalling $6,791,588 for Mater Little Miracles on the evening of Saturday.
This impressive amount will bolster Mater—the leading maternity care provider in Australia—to deliver essential life-saving treatments to Queensland’s most critically ill newborns, while also providing their families with crucial support.
The telethon highlighted the impactful work carried out by Mater through stories of resilience and survival from its Neonatal Critical Care Unit (NCCU), showcasing the dedicated clinical teams’ efforts in providing transformative care.
Communities throughout Queensland showed their solidarity by making significant donations, helping Mater maintain its excellence in neonatal critical care and maternal foetal medicine. The fundraising was further amplified by significant donations from the Federal Government ($2 million), the Queensland Government ($1.5 million), and initial presenting partners such as The Lott by Golden Casket, Suncorp, and Plantation Homes.
Additionally, the Brisbane Broncos contributed through the auction of football boots belonging to Adam Reynolds and Corey Oates, symbolising the small and vulnerable babies Mater cares for, numbering over 2,000 annually.
Kylie Blucher, Managing Director of Nine Queensland and Nine Northern New South Wales, expressed her delight:
“Once again the Nine Telethon has worked its magic, leaving an indelible mark and transforming the lives of countless Queensland families.“
“It’s truly heartwarming to witness our community uniting to support our own, and I am thrilled that Mater Little Miracles can continue to provide Queensland’s most vulnerable infants with the best possible start to life, thanks to these life-saving funds.“
“My heartfelt gratitude extends to Nine Queensland’s dedicated production team and 9News Queensland and Nine talent, whose unwavering dedication has been instrumental in achieving this wonderful outcome for Mater Little Miracles.“
Andrew Thomas, CEO of the Mater Foundation, also shared his enthusiasm:
“What an extraordinary evening! Thanks to the Nine Telethon, the incredible sum of $6,791,588 ensures that more medical miracles are now within reach.“
“These funds are truly life-changing for sick and premature babies.
The generosity from the community allows us to purchase the latest technology and equipment and invest in world-class research to improve the survival rates and long term outcomes for our tiniest patients.
We want babies to survive; however, we also want them to thrive and live a full life without any physical or intellectual disability.“
“Each dollar raised not only brings hope to countless Queensland families but also lays a solid foundation for a brighter, healthier future. On behalf of our amazing clinicians and our brilliant researchers, I express our sincere gratitude to the Nine Telethon for standing with us on this journey to support Queensland families for years to come.“
The broadcast, emanating from Mater Mothers’ Hospital, was hosted by Queensland’s renowned duo, Melissa Downes and Andrew Lofthouse from 9News Queensland, who introduced the audience to the NCCU ward along with Aislin Kriukelis, and the Nine Telethon Call Centre with NRL on Nine’s Peter Psaltis and Sam Thaiday. The event also featured guest appearances by Paralympic athletes Paige Greco and Torita Blake, former tennis star John Millman, Channel 9’s The King, Wally Lewis, among others.
The 2024 Nine Telethon was supported by presenting partners including the Queensland Government, Suncorp, The Lott by Golden Casket, and Plantation Homes.
Donations for the 2024 Nine Telethon to aid Mater Little Miracles are still welcomed at their official website.
