Our Maternal and Fetal Health Researchers are 'Stepping up for Stillbirth'

30 Sep 2021

This Baby Loss Awareness Week, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre staff and students will take two million steps in their memory

Our students and researchers are stepping up to the challenge to raise awareness and money for Tommys this October, during Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 October).

There are over two million stillbirths every year worldwide; the staff at the Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre (MFHRC) are splitting into teams and competing to reach an overall goal of two million or more steps in their memory. By running, walking, hopping, or skipping, each team will compete in a different rainbow colour to raise money to support important stillbirth research.

The end of the challenge will coincide with a Wave of Light procession through St Mary's Hospital to remember and honour every little life lost too soon. 

A stillbirth is when a baby dies after 24 weeks of pregnancy and before or during birth. 1 in every 250 births result in a stillbirth in the UK. Tommys is the largest UK charity researching causes and prevention of pregnancy complications. The University of Manchester Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre is supported by Tommys, which funds vital research into stillbirth, the placenta, and fetal growth restriction. As a result of Tommys funding, the stillbirth rate in Manchester has reduced by 19% from 2010 to 2017.

To find out more about our campaign, or to donate, please visit our Just Giving page.

Or watch our video explaining what we are doing and why.