Groote Schuur Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) received a special video message from Springbok captain Siya Kolisi for World Prematurity Day on Sunday November 17.
The World Cup-winning Kolisi and his wife, Rachel, have two children, Nicholas and Keziah, both born too early but who have grown into healthy and happy youngsters today.
Kolisi often visits the NICU at Groote Schuur and spends time supporting the moms in the unit and sharing his own story.
In his video message, he said: “We are the parents of two prem babies, and we understand what it feels like. We love the work the Newborns Trust is doing. Everyone needs to help because there is so much work to be done to save these babies.”
He goes on to wish preemie parents around the world a happy World Prematurity Day.
Groote Schuur’s NICU caters for up to 75 babies at a time — 3 000 babies a year from across the province — in the newly renovated world-class facility.
Each year the neonatal ward is decorated in purple and staff and visitors wear purple to commemorate World Prematurity Day.
The Newborns Trust also sells stickers for R10 to raise funds and awareness for the cause.
Go to www.newborns.org.za or visit the Newborns Trust Facebook page for more information or to get involved.