Every year, too many families face the unbearable heartbreak of losing a baby or child. The grief is overwhelming. The questions are endless. And for far too many parents, there are no answers.
Red Nose is determined to change that through funding research. It’s the key to understanding why babies die suddenly and expectedly; and finding ways to prevent it.
This is Melanie’s story as a mother of a baby gone-too-soon, and researcher determined to prevent more tragedies from happening to other families.
“One Morning, She Didn’t Wake Up…”
My name is Melanie Andrew-Manning, and I know the pain of not knowing. I’ve lived it.
My daughter Mylee was a beautiful 15-and-a-half-month-old with strawberry blonde hair, big blue eyes, chubby little hands and a personality that lit up a room. She adored her big brother Chase. They were inseparable — giggling, chasing each other around the house, filling our home with the most beautiful noise. Together with my husband Sean, we were a happy little family. Then one day it all changed.
One quiet morning, I went to check on Mylee. She was unresponsive in her cot. My husband Sean and I did everything we could — we performed CPR as we waited desperately for the ambulance. But it was too late.
The silence that followed was deafening.
We were completely shattered. But what made it even more painful was that no one could tell us why.
Searching for Answers
For three agonising years, Mylee’s death was classified as unexplained. We were trapped in the same devastating limbo that so many other families experience — grieving, heartbroken, and without answers.
Eventually, we learned the cause was a preventable illness, made worse by an undiagnosed immune condition. That answer came too late to save Mylee, but it changed the course of my life.
It gave me a purpose.
I learnt that the only way to prevent this tragedy from happening to any other family was through research. Because if we can find the answers, we can stop little lives being lost.
The Next Breakthrough in Sudden Infant Death Research
Thanks to Red Nose’s Safe Sleep education, we’ve seen an 80% drop in SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) deaths over the past 30 years. That’s an extraordinary success. But it’s not enough. Too many families are still losing their babies without explanation.
Now, my own research is focused on unlocking new answers.
My research focuses on whether certain bacteria and immune responses could be key factors in SIDS/SUDC (Sudden and Unexpected Death in Childhood). Together with the University of Western Australia, Perth Children’s Hospital, and WA Coronial Services, we’re asking:
- Could specific bacteria or virus be linked to SIDS/SUDC?
- Can an infant have a pre-disposition or is vulnerable to SIDS/SUDC?
- Can we identify at-risk infants through biomarkers, so we can develop preventative medicine?
This work is personal. Not just for me, but for every parent who’s ever had to ask, “Why?”
If we can identify these risk markers, we could one day develop early screening tools. Imagine being able to test for vulnerabilities and take early action to prevent tragedy.
We are closer than ever. But we need your help to keep going with research project like these to save as many little lives as possible.
A Shared Story of Loss and Hope
Maybe child loss is a part of your story too. If it is, I’m so deeply sorry. I wouldn’t wish this pain on anyone.
From that pain can come something powerful — the drive to make sure no one else has to experience the same heartbreak. This is how Red Nose started — from bereaved parents looking for answers.
Every dollar raised helps fund critical research, support grieving families, and share life-saving education with parents and health professionals across Australia.
Together, we can change the future. For Mylee. For your little one. For every baby.