A baby is born prematurely every 10 minutes in the UK – that’s over 50,000 babies a year. Tragically, more than 25 premature babies die every week because they were born too soon.
Touching Tiny Lives is the Action Medical Research appeal to raise funds for vital medical research to reduce the unacceptable high rate of premature birth, prevent pregnancy complications that threaten babies’ lives and find the best ways to treat sick and vulnerable babies.
Only medical research can give us a real understanding of the conditions that put babies at risk, and enable doctors to find new treatments. With the help of Action Medical Research funding, leading doctors and scientists across the UK are working hard to find better ways to diagnose women at risk of pregnancy complications, to understand why premature birth occurs and find ways to prevent it, as well as looking for new and better treatments to help sick babies.
Help us raise as much as we can to help save tiny lives.
We want to find the causes of premature birth. Doctors still don't fully understand what causes some babies to be born early, and there are no effective treatments to prevent premature labour.
We want to stop pregnancy complications like obstetric cholestasis and fetal growth restriction that put babies’ lives at risk.
We want babies who experience a difficult birth or are born with a life-threatening condition to have the best treatment and support in their crucial first days and months.
Find our more about our research to save and change babies' lives or donate now.
Our research
Find out more about our research for sick babies.
Real story - Claire's story
Claire Shearer remembers her son Cameron who died at less than six months old as a result of complications brought about by his premature birth. Watch Claire's video on the STAND UP website.
STAND UP for Tiny Lives
If you believe, as we do, all tiny lives count, join us now.
You can also read the latest news, real stories or share your story.
Walk for Tiny Lives is a short fundraising walk designed for all your friends and family to take part in.
Please join us and help support the millions of people in the UK who have been affected by premature birth.