CAP Members
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Natalie Merida
Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
NICU Lived Network
Mum to 29 weeker twin boys
Parent representative, ANZNN Executive Committee and PSANZ Consumer Advisory Committee
Parent representative, PREMITUR study
NurtureProgram support worker, Miracle Babies Foundation (casual part-time)
Former parent representative, Miracle Babies Foundation -
Amanda Sluiter
Amanda is a kidney transplant recipient, mother of two and a former Embryologist turned small business owner.
After obtaining her Medical Science degree, Amanda worked as a lab scientist before moving into the field of fertility as an embryologist, working both in the lab and directly with patients. Obtaining her Masters in Reproductive Medicine, Amanda’s formal qualifications then matched her experience in the field.
After 13 years of helping other people become pregnant, Amanda herself became a mother after battling fertility issues for many years, stemming from her Lupus Nephritis. Her daughter was born prematurely at 29 weeks (1100 grams) and 18 months later Amanda and her husband would have their second miracle child, this time a boy born at 27 weeks and 680 grams.
Both children went through NICU and are now well, with Amanda now being part of the Miracle Babies nurture group.
The high-risk pregnancies took a toll on Amanda’s kidneys and after going into renal failure, she received a transplant using a live-donor organ from her cousin. Amanda volunteers her time to be a subject for physician and student exams at the hospital, as well as speaking at breastfeeding week to help others learn more.
Having hung up her lab coat, Amanda is now a full-time mum and runs a small recycled women’s fashion business from home.
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Kelly Merchant
Kelly is a mum of 3 children….two that walk with her hand in hand and one that lives within her heart. In 2013 Kelly completed her post-graduate studies in Counselling, specialising in trauma, grief and loss, complimenting her undergraduate degree in Psychology. Kelly has over 10 years experience working with bereaved families through her private practice and bereavement charities. In 2012 she commenced working with Bears of Hope Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support as their support services coordinator. Kelly spends her time equally between supporting bereaved families and advocating for bereavement care within hospitals through education talks and in-services.
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Kylie Facer
Kylie Facer is mother to Daughter Anika, a survivor of neonatal stroke. In 2017 Kylie co-founded Little Stroke Warriors Australia (LSW). Kylie has been actively involved in advocating for education, awareness and funding for research into Neonatal and childhood stroke. A major achievement has been the development of the “My Family Stroke Journey” resource in collaboration with the Stroke Foundation as well as the awarding of $4m in funding for the PACS (Paedatric Acute Code Stroke) Study through the MRFF. In 2018 in her capacity as co-founder of LSW, was awarded the Improving Life After Stroke award and in 2022 was awarded the Stroke Foundation Presidents Achievement award.
Over the last 7 years Kylie has been actively involved in the support of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance and continues to advocate for equality in care for those in rural and regional areas. 2023 saw the successful delivery of an intensive therapy camp in Muswellbrook for children that would otherwise not have access to these services.
In 2020 Kylie served as a consumer representative on the NSW Paediatric Rehabilitation Services Model of Care project. In 2021 Kylie joined the Neostem trial as Parent Investigator and addressed the World Stroke Congress to highlight the importance of Lived Experience in the delivery of services, resources and when developing research framework.
Kylie also sits on the Lions 201N3 District Cabinet.