When Jim’s Antennas Divisional Andrew Parke and his wife Sarah lost their daughter Emma in 2004 from a rare genetic disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy, they vowed to do their best to repay the Royal Children’s Hospital for their tireless efforts in difficult times.
The Parke’s established The Baby Emma Foundation later that year to honour her and have since raised more than $200,000.
The money raised through The Baby Emma Foundation is donated to the Royal Children’s Hospital each year to support children and families affected by a terminal illness or the loss of a child.
In the past two years, The Baby Emma Foundation has successfully held various events and raised much needed funds to founder special projects and purchase items for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
The most recent fundraiser in Hamilton Island was driven by Andrew’s business, Jim’s Antennas, at its National Conference.
Together with the help and support of franchisors, franchisees, partners and suppliers including Hills, Matchmaster, Bitek and Radio Parts Group, Jim’s Antennas managed to raise significant funds to help with the purchase of a state of the art ultrasound machine.
The Jims Antennas fundraiser was managed via an auction on the annual awards night at the conference. Suppliers donated stock and equipment to be auctioned off and the franchisors and franchisees purchased it. One supplier even donated a pearl necklace so the ladies were able to bid for something for themselves.
Royal Children’s Hospital Paediatric Neurologist, Dr Richard Leventer, said the hospital was very grateful to the Baby Emma Foundation for donating the ultrasound machine.
“The machine will be used both in our clinics and as a critical piece of equipment in our research studies aimed at finding new treatments for these conditions.
“Diseases of the nerves and muscles such as muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy cause significant disabilities in children. There are a number of ways to diagnose and follow patients with these disorders, including invasive and painful tests such as nerve or muscle biopsies,” Dr Leventer said.
“We plan on using an innovative and painless ultrasound technique in our clinics to better diagnose and follow children with nerve and muscle diseases. This is a new and somewhat “cutting edge” approach in childhood neuromuscular disorders.
“We anticipate that the use of ultrasound will enable us to provide improved clinical care to our little patients, in an outpatient setting with minimal or no discomfort.
Andrew Parke is extremely proud of the work of the Foundation, as well as the efforts of his franchisors, franchisees and suppliers.
“We believe that we have made a sincere and valuable effort in support of the parents and siblings affected by the illness or loss of a child,” Andrew said.
OCT