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2026 Impact

The Nine Telethon supporting Mater Little Miracles continues to bring together the Queensland community to fund life-saving research, care and equipment, ensuring all babies at Mater have the best possible start to life.

In 2026, that generosity reached new heights, raising an extraordinary $12.39 million to support our tiniest and most vulnerable patients.

Because of this support, Mater clinicians and researchers can continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. From breakthrough research to advanced clinical care, these funds are already making a difference for families.

This record-breaking result further strengthens Mater’s position as a leader in neonatal intensive care and maternal-fetal medicine, ensuring more little miracles have the chance to thrive.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, Mater can invest in innovative research that is improving care for mothers and babies today and into the future, including:

  • Research aiming to improve survival and long-term health outcomes for babies born extremely early or growth-restricted, including one of the world's largest studies into the safest oxygen levels to use immediately after birth.
  • Research preparing for a world-first clinical trial of sulfate replacement therapy for preterm babies to protect against the development of cerebral palsy.
  • Research identifying babies at risk of stillbirth, severe brain injury and newborn death due to impaired fetal growth, enabling more personalised care and birth planning.
  • Research comparing breathing support approaches for extremely premature babies, to help reduce injury in developing lungs and improve long-term respiratory health.
  • Research improving care in the first moments after birth by developing decision-making tools and training for clinicians around umbilical cord management for premature and vulnerable newborns.

When you support Mater Little Miracles you are helping to fund research, care and equipment that is giving babies the best possible start to life.

Alongside funding vital research, the 2026 Nine Telethon has helped enhance care at Mater hospitals across Queensland through the purchase of advanced, life-saving equipment. These investments are ensuring our tiniest patients receive the specialised support they need.

JET Ventilator

A highly specialised ventilator delivering rapid, gentle breaths to protect fragile lungs and improve outcomes for extremely preterm and critically ill newborns with specific lung concerns. Mater is one of only four neonatal intensive care units across Australasia to offer this specialised technology.

For babies like Arlo, born 16 weeks early and weighing just 655 grams, the JET provided life-saving breathing support when he needed it the most.

Kanmed Baby Warmer

The Kanmed Baby Warmer helps maintain a stable body temperature for premature or ill newborns, supporting growth and recovery and improved comfort, whilst being easily accessible to families.

Supporting babies like Amelia and Amaya, born at just 24 weeks and weighing 752g and 570g, it supported them as they grew stronger. Twin girls celebrated their 100 days in NCCU side by side in their Kanmed cot.

Infant Resuscitator (Neopuff)

The Neopuff delivers effective resuscitation for newborns experiencing respiratory distress delivering precise positive pressure ventilation, helping to stabilise infants quickly.

For babies like Charlie, born 14 weeks early and weighing just 360 grams, the Neopuff provided immediate life-saving support, giving him the chance to breath and begin his journey of growth.

Voluson Expert 22 Ultrasound

High‑resolution pregnancy imaging enabling detailed imaging of fetal anatomy, essential for detecting complex conditions early and guiding personalised care during pregnancy. For the Mater Maternal Fetal Medicine team, this equipment is vital for early diagnosis.

This equipment, helped diagnose Eliana's spina bifida during pregnancy, giving her family options for early treatment including in-utero surgery before birth, to improve her long-term health and development.

“The outcomes we’re achieving today simply weren’t possible a decade ago. Through the generosity of the community and the Nine Telethon supporting Mater Little Miracles, we can continue investing in the care, equipment and research that’s changing lives for families now and into the future.”

Dr Luke Jardine, Deputy Director Neonatology at Mater Mothers’ Hospital Brisbane