Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have donated $18,848 to Welsh soccer player, Jordan Davies, following the stillbirth of his son in December.
While Lively and Reynolds are often candid about their experience as parents of three girls—James (7), Inez (5) and Betty (2)—this is the first time the couple has publicly supported those impacted by stillbirths and neonatal deaths.
Davies is a member of Wrexham A.F.C, a Welsh based football club owned by Reynolds and It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia actor Rob McElhenney.
In December 2021, Davies took to social media to share that his son Arthur, whom he shares with girlfriend Kelsey Edwards, was stillborn.
Davies and Edwards set up a GoFundMe in collaboration with UK based charity Sands (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society), a national charity striving to support bereaved parents.
“We are forever grateful for Sands”, the couple wrote on the donation page.
Showing their support for Davies, Edwards and those impacted by stillbirth, Reynolds, McElhenney and their respective wives Blake Lively and Kaitlin Olson made a joint donation of £10,000—approximately $18,848 AUD.
The message “Rob, Kaitlin, Ryan and Blake For Arthur” accompanied the contribution.
Everyday in Australia, six babies are stillborn and two die within 28 days of birth. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, there were 2,789 perinatal deaths in 2018.
Perinatal deaths, especially stillbirth and miscarriage, are still regarded as a taboo topic, not often broached in mainstream media.
In fact, one in four pregnant women in Australia will suffer a miscarriage, per the Australian Department of Health. Yet conversations around miscarriage and the trauma associated with it have historically been scarce in the public arena.
Per the Australian Department of Health, an estimated 70% of women will encounter grief-related depressive symptoms at clinically significant levels one year after stillbirth.
The Morrison Government has invested $152.3 million in perinatal services and support measures, including $21.3 million to reduce stillbirth and support families affected by stillbirth.
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