A Heartbreaking Journey

Sasha Barton faced a devastating revelation in July 2025, when she was informed that her unborn son Jack, at 16 weeks, was diagnosed with a chromosomal condition incompatible with life. This marked her second loss, as she had previously given birth to a stillborn daughter, Amelia, who passed away from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) at 38 weeks in 2018.

Reflecting on her heartache, Sasha shared, “It was utterly devastating — I can’t even explain how hard it hit me to find out.” The emotional weight of her losses created an underlying anxiety, despite having two healthy daughters born before and between her losses.

A Father’s Mission

Matt Barton, Sasha’s father, felt a deep sense of helplessness observing her struggles. Determined to make a difference, he decided to walk 900 kilometers from his home in Narrandera, New South Wales, to Flinders Hospital in Adelaide, where Amelia was born. His goal is to raise money for Bears of Hope, a charity specializing in pregnancy and infant loss support.

“At the time, I really wanted to help but there wasn’t really anything I could do… this walk just seemed the right thing to do,” Matt noted.

Although initially surprised by her father’s decision, Sasha expressed gratitude, saying, “It wasn’t something I expected, but I was touched because I think this is his way of showing his love and standing by me.”

Continuing the Challenge

Matt began his walk in October but faced a setback due to emergency surgery for kidney stones, allowing him to complete only 300 kilometers. Nonetheless, he intends to resume his efforts soon, with a fundraising target of $6,500 to purchase a cuddle cot for Bears of Hope. This temperature-controlled device helps families spend more time with their stillborn babies, allowing for emotional goodbyes.

Both Sasha and her father recognize the significance of cuddle cots; Sasha had access to one during both Amelia’s and Jack’s births. She remarked, “It helps quite a lot, it just gives you that time to say goodbye; it doesn’t feel rushed or forced.”

Addressing an Alarming Trend

Amanda Bowles, co-founder and CEO of Bears of Hope, highlighted a troubling trend indicated by their recent data. The charity distributed over 8,500 bears and keepsakes in the last financial year, underscoring a heartbreaking reality: in Australia, stillbirths significantly affect families.

“The numbers are really devastating for how many families are facing loss every single day in Australia,” she stated, noting that some hospitals are in desperate need of multiple cuddle cots due to high demand.

According to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, every day, six families experience stillbirth, with one in three cases having an unknown cause. This rate remains unchanged over the past two decades and disproportionately affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, as well as those living in rural areas.

Creating Conversations Around Loss

The Barton family is committed to raising awareness about stillbirth and miscarriage. Sasha reflected on how her father’s journey has opened up important conversations with friends and acquaintances, many of whom have experienced loss themselves. She said, “It’s not something that people often talk about. It is empowering to take the pain and fear and all the negativity and to be able to talk about it in a way that hopefully makes other people feel less alone.”