Kenzie Allan is a cheeky two year old, who has a bright and bubbly personality, and loves all the things she should not be doing.
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But her start to life was anything but smooth sailing.
Kenzie was born 13 weeks premature at the Mercy Hospital, weighing just 848 grams, and spent 82 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
“It was pretty emotional, but we got there in the end,” mother Jade Scott said.
“(The Mercy) looked after us and they were very helpful and friendly, it felt like a little family.”
Ms Scott is registering for Pram Jam because she knows not all babies get the same chance at life as Kenzie.
The national walkathon-style fundraising event raises awareness and funds to help prevent stillbirth and complications for babies born prematurely.
Participants are sponsored by friends, family and colleagues to push a pram, walk or run their chosen distance.
Popular blogger and former Ballarat resident Annie Nolan is ambassador.
She gave birth to twins Delphine and Cheska, who were also 13 weeks early, at the Mercy Hospital in 2013.
“It’s like coming full circle, but the chapter never really closes on your premmie experience,” Ms Nolan said.
“For many years it was always such a worry and now I have these two very happy four and a half year olds, which is the priority for me.”
Sharing photos and stories on social media has reminded Ms Nolan of how raw her own experiences still are to think about and reflect on.
“I can remember how desperate I was for them to just breath and how on edge it became at times,” she said.
“Every few minutes the monitors would be going off and when they did not take a breath yours was taken away as well.
“Seeing all the people sharing with me online that their premmie did not make it or they had a stillbirth, that’s when my heart is ripped into pieces.”
Ms Nolan and her two girls will be riding 28km on their bikes for Pram Jam and have already exceeded their $5000 fundraising target.
“It’s the same distance as the trip we made to hospital to save their lives,” Ms Nolan said.
Pram Jam takes place from Monday, November 20, until Sunday, November 26.
All proceeds raised will go towards advancing research, education and treatment at Mercy Perinatal based at Mercy Hospital for Women.
To register or donate visit pramjam.org.au.