Inspired by the early arrival of his own children, Anthony Spadaro, father of triplets, has set himself a challenge of climbing the Kokoda Memorial  Trail to raise funds for Life’s Little Treasures Foundation.

Anthony Spadaro and his wife Sanaz Spadaro knew early on in the pregnancy thattheir triplets would be delivered early. Considered a high risk pregnancy, triplets are very seldom allowed to progress further than 35 weeks gestation. However 26 weeks into the smooth pregnancy things began to change dramatically. Sanaz was put on bed rest after the rupturing of membranes of one of the babies, which can lead to many other complications including infection(s) for mother and infant(s)

A week later, at 27 weeks gestation Isabella Spadaro, Alex Spadaro, and Scarlett Spadaro were born via emergency caesarean section, all weighing less than 1 kilogram. Due to their fragile nature all three babies were immediately taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) requiring breathing support and feeding assistance.

 “It was difficult and heart wrenching to watch all three
surrounded by doctors and machines with wires and tubing connected to our children.
It was a very stressful time. I lost 13 kg and felt helpless
watching my children struggle for every breath”

The triplet’s health was such that every positive step forward was followed by two steps backwards. The couple would arrive at the hospital every morning to be with their children and leave them in the hospital every night, a heartbreaking routine. For 12 long weeks the family called The Royal Women’s Hospital home. Finally on Father’s Day 2013 the family of 5 were able to go home together for the very first time.

During the triplet’s time in hospital the Spadaro’s found it helpful to speak to other parents experiencing similar experiences and emotions.

“Life’s Little Treasures Foundation made
talking to other premature birth parents possible
by providing weekly sessions, bringing parents together
which opened lines of communication”

Anthony, a personal trainer, decided to create an event that would raise awareness of the struggles that families with premature babies face and give back to an organisation that made a difference to his own families journey.  On Sunday 14^th September, just 12 months on from the day he and his wife bought their babies home, Anthony will Tackle the Lyrebird Track in the Dandenong Ranges National Park. What started as a personal challenge with a few friends has quickly snowballed into a much larger event with an anticipated 200 people taking part.

• WHO: Anthony Spadaro for Life’s Little Treasures Foundation
• WHAT: Treasure Each Step Fundraising Event
• WHERE: Lyrebird Track, Dandenong Ranges National Park,  Upper Ferntree Gully,  Victoria
• WHEN:  Sunday September 14^th 2014

For further detials see Anthony’s event Facebook Page: HERE