More medical miracles are in the making after the Nine Telethon raised a remarkable total of $6,791,588 for Mater Little Miracles on Saturday night.

Nine Queensland Managing Director Kylie Blucher, Mater Mothers’ Director of Neonatology Dr Pita Birch, 9News Queensland’s Andrew Lofthouse, Melissa Downes and Aislin Kriukelis, Mater Foundation CEO Andrew Thomas and Mater Foundation Board Chair Virginia Ryan

This generous sum allows Mater, Australia’s busiest maternity care provider, to ensure Queensland’s sickest and tiniest babies will continue to have access to life-saving care as their families receive ongoing support. 

The 2024 Nine Telethon spotlighted the extraordinary work of Mater by sharing the real and resilient stories from its Neonatal Critical Care Unit (NCCU) and celebrating the life-saving and life-changing care provided by Mater’s devoted clinical teams.

In a heartwarming display of unity, people from all corners of the Sunshine State donated generously to aid their fellow Queenslanders and support Mater in being a leader in neonatal critical care and maternal foetal medicine.

The outpouring of support was magnified by notable contributions from the Federal Government ($2 million), the Queensland Government ($1.5 million), and inaugural presenting partners: The Lott by Golden Casket, Suncorp and Plantation Homes. The Brisbane Broncos added to the donation tally by auctioning off captain Adam Reynolds’ and club veteran Corey Oates’ football boots, which echo the size of the seriously ill and premature babies tended to by Mater – more than 2,000 each year.

Managing Director of Nine Queensland and Nine Northern New South Wales, Kylie Blucher, said:

“Once again the Nine Telethon has worked its magic, leaving an indelible mark and transforming the lives of countless Queensland families. It’s truly heartwarming to witness our community uniting to support our own, and I am thrilled that Mater Little Miracles can continue to provide Queensland’s most vulnerable infants with the best possible start to life, thanks to these life-saving funds.

“My heartfelt gratitude extends to Nine Queensland’s dedicated production team and 9News Queensland and Nine talent, whose unwavering dedication has been instrumental in achieving this wonderful outcome for Mater Little Miracles.”

Mater Foundation CEO, Andrew Thomas, said:

“What an extraordinary evening! Thanks to the Nine Telethon, the incredible sum of $6,791,588 ensures that more medical miracles are now within reach. These funds are truly life-changing for sick and premature babies.”

“The generosity from the community allows us to purchase the latest technology and equipment and invest in world-class research to improve the survival rates and long term outcomes for our tiniest patients. We want babies to survive; however, we also want them to thrive and live a full life without any physical or intellectual disability.

“Each dollar raised not only brings hope to countless Queensland families but also lays a solid foundation for a brighter, healthier future. On behalf of our amazing clinicians and our brilliant researchers, I express our sincere gratitude to the Nine Telethon for standing with us on this journey to support Queensland families for years to come.”

The Nine Telethon, broadcast from Mater Mothers’ Hospital, featured Queensland’s longest-serving presenting duo, 9News Queensland’s Melissa Downes and Andrew Lofthouse, welcoming viewers into the NCCU ward with 9News Queensland’s Aislin Kriukelis, and into the Nine Telethon Call Centre with NRL on Nine’s Peter Psaltis and Sam Thaiday. There were also special appearances by Paralympic athletes Paige Greco and Torita Blake, former tennis player John Millman, Channel 9’s The King, Wally Lewis, and more.

Presenting Partners of the 2024 Nine Telethon included the Queensland Government, Suncorp, The Lott by Golden Casket, and Plantation Homes.

Donations to the 2024 Nine Telethon in support of Mater Little Miracles can still be made at www.9telethon.com.au or via the QR Code below.

For further information, please contact:
Claudine Blondeau
Communications Manager, Nine Queensland
07 3214 9732 / 0416 644 807
cblondeau@nine.com.au

Monday, April 8, 2024