Support for Welsh Launch for Charity Campaign asking why do 17 babies die every single day in the UK?

10.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 23rd Jun 2009

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for North Wales attended a special Welsh Assembly reception to launch the Why 17? campaign in Wales last week, which asks the question, 'Why do 17 babies die every single day in the UK?'

Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, held the reception at the Senedd, National Assembly for Wales on 17th June 2009, to raise awareness of the 17 babies who are stillborn or die shortly after birth every day in the UK. The figures for Wales are no less shocking; every other day a baby is stillborn in Wales and a further 2 babies die shortly after birth every week, this is nearly 300 babies dying every year in Wales.

At the event, Eleanor Burnham was presented with the Sands' report, Saving Babies' Lives Report, 2009 which, backed up by new research, highlights several problem areas that are contributing to this level of baby loss, the long-lasting impact of these deaths, and recommends changes that could save babies' lives. A new Sands petition was also shared with Assembly Members. Signed by over 700 people from across Wales showing their support for the Why17? Campaign. The petition calls on the Welsh Assembly to take action to reduce the numbers of babies dying every year in Wales, and will be considered by the Assembly Petitions Committee on 7th July.

Eleanor Burnham said:

"I was shocked to discover there are almost 300 stillbirths and neonatal deaths every year in Wales alone, and that many families in my constituency will have experienced the tragic loss of a baby in this way. Sands Saving Babies' Lives Report, 2009 clearly outlines the key issues, problem areas and recommendations for change, and I am fully committed to supporting Sands in their call for action now to make a difference so more lives can be saved in the future.'

The facts today:

• 177 babies are stillborn every year in Wales

• 115 babies die shortly after birth every year in Wales

• Ten times more babies are stillborn than die of cot death every year in Wales

• The stillbirth rate in Wales has not changed in the last 12 years

• 17 babies die every day in the UK (10 are stillbirths, 7 are neonatal deaths) totalling almost 6,500 baby deaths a year - the equivalent of 16 jumbo jets crashing every year with no survivors.

The reception was the culmination of a 7 day marathon journey across Wales through Wrexham, Glan Clwyd and Powys. Hundreds of Mums and Dads, their families and friends travelled across Wales using anything that moved, except their own cars, raising awareness of Sands Why17? campaign and raising funds to go towards research that could significantly reduce the numbers of babies dying.

Shirley Gittoes, Sands Welsh Network Convenor said "The devastation my family and I felt when our daughter Heulwen was stillborn was indescribable. No parent whose baby has died wants any other parent to suffer in this way, which is why I am supporting Sands Why17? campaign in Wales. I want to raise awareness of the 300 babies dying every year in Wales and I'm urging Welsh politicians to sit up, and take note of all the hundreds of Welsh parents devastated by their babies' deaths. We need a co-ordinated, national strategy to tackle stillbirths and neonatal deaths and we need it now."