Who we are
Our mission is to support and educate Canadian families of premature babies every step of the way – before, during and after their NICU stays.
Our vision is to create a brighter future for all premature babies and those who care for them.
Our History
Started in 2012, Canadian Premature Babies Foundation is the first national organization in Canada to support premature babies and their families.
We acknowledge the hard work and tenacity of our Founder, Katharina Staub, for bringing our organization from a thought to reality. With Katharina’s leadership, Canadian Premature Babies Foundation has developed partnerships across the world, all with the common goal of advocating for and providing support to premature babies and their families.
Our advocacy work has included government action to influence public policy affecting premature babies and their families – such as Employment Insurance and Parental Leave. We have also provided balanced information and responses to ethical issues and continue to do so in our work.
Where we are now and moving forward…
Confident parents mean well-adjusted and supported children. It is our intent that through consistent information, access to helpful resources, and peer support inside and outside the NICU, we are ensuring families of premature babies feel empowered and ready to care for their prematurely born child every step of the way.
It takes a village.
As our organization grows and more volunteers are added to our team, we will continue to strive to provide thoughtful and useful services, supports and information to not only the families, but to the health care providers who support our vulnerable babies through their earliest challenges.
We will continue to develop national and international relationships with other parent-led organizations, health care providers and their governing bodies, corporations, donors and other stakeholders.
Let’s work together to encourage and empower families with prematurely born children!
Charitable registration number 801837287RR0001
Our Team
Our team consists of parents of premature babies and neonatal health care professionals from across Canada.
We are pleased to introduce you to our team.
Board of Directors
Fabiana Bacchini
Executive Director
Lisa Christie Torreggiani
Board Chair
Kate Robson
Director & Chair of Education Committee
Doris Sawatzky-Dickson
Director
Dr. Jennifer Toye
Director
Team Members
Marianne Bracht
Chair of Family Ambassador Committee
Pam Kai
Family Ambassador - Alberta
Karen Netzel
Family Ambassador - Manitoba
Anna Stevens
Family Ambassador - Newfoundland
Carolyn Leighton-Hilborn
Chair of Communications Committee
Renata Runge
Administrative Services Manager
Stacey Killam
Family Ambassador
