Little Beads for our Little Champions

Rahni, who was born at 31 weeks, was among the first babies to receive the gift
Babies in the Flinders Medical Centre Neonatal Unit can have a special memento of their medical journey.
Generous donations to Flinders Foundation are enabling Stella Bella Little Beads to be given to sick and premature babies in the unit to mark important milestones, brave days and recognise the many extensive and invasive medical procedures these babies endure during their neonatal journey.
The end result is a treasured string of beads representing each babies’ personal story.
Rahni (pictured), who was born at 31 weeks, was among the first babies to receive the gift.
Her beads are a physical reminder to parents Melissa and Ross of her days within the neonatal unit, which include special memories of Rahnis’ first bath, first cuddles and first breastfeed.
“The beads are a beautiful reminder of Rahni’s little journey and a lovely way to celebrate things in a creative way,” mum Melissa says.
“They are also a wonderful tool for mums to connect with one another because we would get together, go for a coffee, do our beading and all chat about what was going on and ask each other questions…that connectivity is so valuable during that time.”
There are thirty-seven beads in the little beads collection, signifying a precious moment or achievement including events like a baby breathing on their own, special procedures, scans, tests and discharge from the unit, and many more.
Melissa and Ross made a generous donation to Flinders Foundation to help fund Stella Bella Little Beads for other neonatal families.
Thanks also to neonatal support group Parents Who Have Been There as well as Babcock Australasia for their generous donations.
If you’d like to support the Stella Bella Little Beads program make a donation today.
You can support the Stella Bella Little Beads program Donate Now
More News
Stroke Rehab goes Virtual
Researchers from Flinders University and UniSA are set to develop a new rehabilitation technique for stroke survivors using state-of-the-art Virtual Reality (VR) technology.
Stroke Rehab goes Virtual
Researchers from Flinders University and UniSA are set to develop a new rehabilitation technique for stroke survivors using state-of-the-art Virtual Reality (VR) technology.
New Hope for Pancreatic Cancer
Dr Jean Winter and her Flinders University research team will soon begin trials of a world-first blood biomarker test for patients with pancreatic cancer.
New Hope for Pancreatic Cancer
Dr Jean Winter and her Flinders University research team will soon begin trials of a world-first blood biomarker test for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Help for families in gambling battle
The Southern Adelaide Local Health Network’s (SALHN) Statewide Gambling Therapy Service provides psychological therapies to individuals with gambling addictions.
Help for families in gambling battle
The Southern Adelaide Local Health Network’s (SALHN) Statewide Gambling Therapy Service provides psychological therapies to individuals with gambling addictions.
Rapid access to surgical procedures
Podiatrists at Noarlunga Hospital will trial a new model of care for anxious patients, to help them get rapid access to some minor surgical procedures.
Rapid access to surgical procedures
Podiatrists at Noarlunga Hospital will trial a new model of care for anxious patients, to help them get rapid access to some minor surgical procedures.
$1 Million in grants awarded
$1 million in grants awarded to 23 health and medical research projects across Southern Adelaide
$1 Million in grants awarded
$1 million in grants awarded to 23 health and medical research projects across Southern Adelaide
31 New Health and Medical Research Projects
Health and medical researchers across the Flinders Medical Precinct will share in $750,000 funding, to support exciting research projects across a variety of illnesses, diseases, and social issues.
31 New Health and Medical Research Projects
Health and medical researchers across the Flinders Medical Precinct will share in $750,000 funding, to support exciting research projects across a variety of illnesses, diseases, and social issues.
Grateful Tony Gives Back
Struggling to get a breath in and feeling like he was “choking to death”, Tony de Maaijer knew he was in a bad way.
Grateful Tony Gives Back
Struggling to get a breath in and feeling like he was “choking to death”, Tony de Maaijer knew he was in a bad way.
New Funding for Cancer Research
World Cancer Day (February 4) marked the announcement of funding for four new cancer research projects thanks to the generosity of guests and supporters of Flinders Foundation’s Pink Yellow Blue Enchanted Garden event.
New Funding for Cancer Research
World Cancer Day (February 4) marked the announcement of funding for four new cancer research projects thanks to the generosity of guests and supporters of Flinders Foundation’s Pink Yellow Blue Enchanted Garden event.
Tour de Cure’s New Mission to Tackle Head and Neck Cancers
Pedal power is helping to re-shape the monitoring of head and neck cancers in a bid to improve care for patients, particularly those in rural and regional areas.
Tour de Cure’s New Mission to Tackle Head and Neck Cancers
Pedal power is helping to re-shape the monitoring of head and neck cancers in a bid to improve care for patients, particularly those in rural and regional areas.
Ralph’s Legacy The Ralph Ernst Fellowship: Changing the Face of Survival in Prostate and Bladder Cancers
A generous man’s chance encounter with Flinders Medical Centre 35 years ago is now helping to change the future for men with prostate and bladder cancers.
Ralph’s Legacy The Ralph Ernst Fellowship: Changing the Face of Survival in Prostate and Bladder Cancers
A generous man’s chance encounter with Flinders Medical Centre 35 years ago is now helping to change the future for men with prostate and bladder cancers.