Post by Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)

Founded by Marijn Mees and Joris Steeman in memory of their son Boet, the ByBoet Foundation was created with a powerful goal: To help get the next Boet home. Today, thanks to the incredible generosity of the ByBoet community of supporters, the foundation is donating $17,500 to help families in regional areas take part in the BLUEPRINT study at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI).  Led by Professor David Tingay, Neonatal Research Group Leader at MCRI and clinician at The Royal Children's Hospital, BLUEPRINT is a world-first research project supported by a five-year National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant.  The study follows babies born very preterm (before 32 weeks’ gestation) to better understand how their lungs function in the earliest days of life and why some go on to experience long-term respiratory problems. Recruitment began in 2024 and 140 babies have been enrolled to date.  For many of these babies, life-saving respiratory support is essential, but it can also contribute to ongoing lung injury. Clinicians still do not always have the tools to know which treatment is best for each child. Researchers aim to identify babies most at risk, develop better ways to predict future lung problems and uncover markers that could guide more personalised treatment – helping clinicians deliver the right treatment to the right baby at the right time. By helping families in regional areas stay involved in the study, this funding will reduce travel barriers, support follow-up respiratory assessments and make it possible for more children and families to contribute to research that is working to improve outcomes for babies born preterm. #MCRI #ByBoetFoundation