Six cot deaths reported over two-week span

Press, 23 November 1988, Page 33

Six cot deaths reported over two-week span

By

SARAH SANDS

Six babies died from cot death in the two weeks between September 30 and October 14, said the education officer of the Cot Death Society, Mrs Stephanie Cowan, this week. So far this year, 26 babies had died from cot death, she said. “We are beginning to get quite irate — all these other needs are being met in terms of funding but not this one.” An appeal to raise $400,000 to employ a researcher into cot death for three years had raised only $130,000 in the six months since it started, said Mrs Cowan. The publicity officer for the Cot Death Appeal, Mr

Lawson Little, said that because death was such an emotive issue, the organisers felt there would be extensive public support. The success of the appeals for Adrienne Mackwell, Regan Chibnall, the Child Cancer Foundation house and recently Roger Manson had shown that donations were forthcoming in these depressed economic times, said Mr Little. “The public of the Canterbury/Westland region may rest assured that the slow response to this urgent life-saving appeal has hardened the resolve and the determination of the committee to see this through, however long it takes,” he said.

“We must stress to the public that the need is urgent as each year some 30 local babies die, several of which could be saved, and a delay of a year or more in appointing the specialist will mean these tragic deaths will continue.” The appeal was not for one life but for many lives, said Mr. Little. A donation of $1 from every person in Canterbury in one week would raise the funds required, he said. “Or a 1 per cent donation on everyone’s grocery account for one week would also raise the money needed.” Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 33004, Christchurch.