Latest news with #FASD
The Guardian
2 days ago
- The Guardian
Guardian Australia's In the Box investigation wins award at Walkley Foundation's Mid-Year Media Prizes
A groundbreaking Guardian Australia investigation into incarcerated teenagers born with severe intellectual disabilities has been awarded the Media Diversity Australia prize at the Walkley Foundation's Mid-Year Media Prizes. In the box: how children with FASD end up in police cells, by Queensland correspondent Ben Smee and medical editor Melissa Davey, uncovered the stories of children who, branded repeat offenders, spend their days locked in adult watch houses despite living with the effects of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The series of three articles, published in July last year, was recognised by the judges at Thursday evening's awards ceremony in Sydney. Guardian Australia was also a finalist in the young Australian journalist of the year's coverage of community and regional affairs and innovative storytelling categories, and the Our Watch award for excellence in reporting on violence against women. The ABC journalist April McLennan was announced as the John B Fairfax Family young journalist of the year, with her coverage of unwanted medical intervention in childbirth and the accusations against former Launceston mayor Danny Gibson singled out by the Walkley judging board. She won the public service journalism and coverage of community and regional affairs prizes in the young journalist category for her reporting in Launceston. Freelance journalist of the year prize went to Prue Lewarne for her coverage of Latin America for SBS, and the women's leadership in media award was won by SBS's Calliste Weitenberg. The awards are held separately from November's Walkley awards for excellence in journalism. The Walkley Foundation chief executive, Shona Martyn, said the 'judges remarked on the high quality of entries across the categories, an encouraging reminder that Australia's best journalism is of the highest standard.'
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
No Pregnancy Warning Labels On Alcohol
Press Release – Alcohol Healthwatch The report has some worrying findings, chief among them that over a third of alcohol products still do not have the correct pregnancy warning label. Just under half (44%) of the 400+ products audited either had no label, or had the label hidden on the … – 34% of alcohol products have no pregnancy warning label, shows new report. – 16% of alcohol products with the correct label have it hidden on the bottom of the packaging where it is less likely to be seen. Every baby deserves the best possible start in life. But new report by Alcohol Healthwatch of New Zealand's first audit of pregnancy warning labels on alcohol products, suggests that the low presence of correct labelling might be undermining this. The report has some worrying findings, chief among them that over a third of alcohol products still do not have the correct pregnancy warning label. Just under half (44%) of the 400+ products audited either had no label, or had the label hidden on the bottom of the packaging. The Government-mandated pregnancy warning label became compulsory from August 2023, following over twenty-years of advocacy by public health professionals and communities. Pregnancy warning labels are an important tool to share the information that no amount of alcohol is safe to consume when pregnant. Exposure of alcohol in-utero can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a lifelong disability characterised by cognitive, emotional, and functional deficits. FASD comprises over half of the estimated $9.1 billion dollars in alcohol harm felt in New Zealand annually. 'Communities have been fighting for a pregnancy warning label for twenty years,' says Sarah Sneyd, lead study author and Senior Health Promotion Advisor at Alcohol Healthwatch. 'People tell us all the time that if they pick up a bottle of wine, they expect that it will have the pregnancy warning label on it. But what we've found is that even a year after being mandatory, there's a good chance it won't have the message.' Spirits was the least likely to have the pregnancy warning label on it, with only 48% of spirits audited showing the warning label. This is likely due to its longer shelf life, as the law only states that alcohol manufactured from 31 July 2023 is required to have a warning label, not all alcohol sold. Wine was the next least likely to show the label, with only 57% showing the warning label. 'Spirits are some of the strongest alcohol you can buy, and wine is very popular among women,' says Sneyd. 'And they're the least likely to show a pregnancy warning label! It's just not good enough – this is a massive loophole that needs to be closed.' There is no requirement for any other health or warning label on alcohol products, such as the fact that it causes cancer. Furthermore, unlike almost every other consumable food or drink item, alcohol products (apart from RTDs) do not have to provide an ingredient list. Like Big Tobacco tactics, Big Alcohol has an incentive to delay or sidestep labelling requirements for as long as possible, to protect profit margins at the expense of health. However, the audit revealed much higher rates of industry-designed labels, with 78% of products having an industry-designed label, including urges to 'drink responsibly'. Often this messaging was located next to or near the pregnancy warning label, and may confuse viewers. This highlights the urgent need for a range of rotating health warnings to meet consumer rights for information. These labels must be prominent (i.e. not located at the bottom of packaging). Sneyd believes that in order for consumers to make informed decisions, they need the information. 'We're talking about preventing babies being born with brain damage; it goes without saying that this is an important message. If we can get communities the information they are entitled to, then we're one step closer towards every baby having the best possible start in life.'
The Independent
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Race Across The World star's grieving family thank public for ‘overwhelming' support
The family of Sam Gardiner, a former contestant on Race Across The World, have expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support they have received since his death. They also thanked the public for their generous donations to a fundraising campaign established in his memory. Gardiner, 24, who appeared on the BBC One series alongside his mother, Jo, tragically died in a car crash last month. In response, his family launched a JustGiving page to raise money for National FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). The campaign has already raised over £10,000, a testament to the impact Gardiner had on those around him His mother said: 'We have been overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of messages of love and support on social media and in comments to press reporting. 'We would like to thank the BBC, Studio Lambert and everyone at Race Across The World production, fellow contestants and fans of the show for all their support at this terrible time. It has been very comforting to know that Sam touched so many people. 'I have been particularly moved by all the messages that Sam was an inspiration to many who have been impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. 'We adopted Sam and he was diagnosed with FASD. As viewers of season two will recall, this was a big challenge both for Sam and for us as his parents. 'National FASD helped us on that journey. If some good comes of this tragedy, it will be that FASD is better understood.' Mr Gardiner was driving a white Volkswagen Golf R estate when it came off the road and rolled before landing on its side. The accident happened on the A34 in Gatley, near Cheadle, on Monday May 26 and he died on May 29 from his injuries, his family said last week. Broadcast in March 2020, Sam and Jo ventured across Mexico and Argentina as part of the second series of the BBC show. Mr Gardiner's father Andrew said: 'When the news broke last week, friends asked how they could help. 'After some thought, I decided to set up a JustGiving page to raise money for National FASD in memory of Sam. The page is called Sam Gardiner; Super Human. 'I set the target at £500 thinking a few friends might be generous enough to make a donation. So far it's raised 20 times that. It's very humbling to see the RATW family rally to this worthy cause.' The National Organisation for FASD says on its official website that it 'provides support to people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, their families and communities, campaigns to raise public awareness, and promotes relevant policies and practices'. The website also describes FASD as resulting 'when prenatal alcohol exposure affects the developing brain and body.. It says: 'FASD is a spectrum. Each person with FASD is affected differently. 'While more than 400 conditions can co-occur, FASD is at its core a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. All people with FASD have many strengths. Early diagnosis and appropriate support are essential, especially for executive functioning.' A message on the official National FASD Instagram account said: 'Sam lived his life full of love, exuberance and adventure as seen on BBC's Race Across the World. 'National FASD is both humbled and honoured to help carry on his legacy via donations coming from hundreds.' A private funeral will be held later this month.
Wales Online
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Family of Race Across The World's Sam Gardiner ‘overwhelmed' by support
Family of Race Across The World's Sam Gardiner 'overwhelmed' by support The 24-year-old, who competed in the BBC One series alongside his mother Jo, died following a car crash last month Sam, 24, died last month in a tragic car accident (Image: PA Media ) The family of Race Across The World contestant Sam Gardiner have issued a message of thanks for the love and support following their son's death and also thanked people for donations to a fundraising campaign set up in his memory. The 24-year-old, who competed in the BBC One series alongside his mother Jo, died following a car crash last month. A JustGiving page launched in his memory by his family, in aid of National FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), has so far raised more than £10,000. His mother said: "We have been overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of messages of love and support on social media and in comments to press reporting. "We would like to thank the BBC, Studio Lambert and everyone at Race Across The World production, fellow contestants and fans of the show for all their support at this terrible time. It has been very comforting to know that Sam touched so many people. "I have been particularly moved by all the messages that Sam was an inspiration to many who have been impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Article continues below "We adopted Sam and he was diagnosed with FASD. As viewers of season two will recall, this was a big challenge both for Sam and for us as his parents. "National FASD helped us on that journey. If some good comes of this tragedy, it will be that FASD is better understood." Mr Gardiner was driving a white Volkswagen Golf R estate when it came off the road and rolled before landing on its side. The accident happened on the A34 in Gatley, near Cheadle, on Monday May 26 and he died on May 29 from his injuries, his family said last week. Broadcast in March 2020, Sam and Jo ventured across Mexico and Argentina as part of the second series of the BBC show. Mr Gardiner's father Andrew said: "When the news broke last week, friends asked how they could help. "After some thought, I decided to set up a JustGiving page to raise money for National FASD in memory of Sam. The page is called Sam Gardiner; Super Human. "I set the target at £500 thinking a few friends might be generous enough to make a donation. So far it's raised 20 times that. It's very humbling to see the RATW family rally to this worthy cause." The National Organisation for FASD says on its official website that it "provides support to people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, their families and communities, campaigns to raise public awareness, and promotes relevant policies and practices". The website also describes FASD as resulting "when prenatal alcohol exposure affects the developing brain and body.. It says: "FASD is a spectrum. Each person with FASD is affected differently. "While more than 400 conditions can co-occur, FASD is at its core a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. All people with FASD have many strengths. Early diagnosis and appropriate support are essential, especially for executive functioning." A message on the official National FASD Instagram account said: "Sam lived his life full of love, exuberance and adventure as seen on BBC's Race Across the World. "National FASD is both humbled and honoured to help carry on his legacy via donations coming from hundreds." Article continues below A private funeral will be held later this month.
Wales Online
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Fundraiser in memory of Race Across The World's Sam Gardiner hits £10k to help others with syndrome
Fundraiser in memory of Race Across The World's Sam Gardiner hits £10k to help others with syndrome Sam Gardiner, who competed in the BBC One series alongside his mother Jo, died after a car crash last month Sam, 24, died last month in a tragic car accident (Image: PA Media ) The family of Sam Gardiner, a contestant on the BBC One series Race Across The World, has expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support, following his tragic death in a car accident last month. They have also thanked those who have donated to a fundraising campaign set up in his memory. Sam, 24, competed on the show alongside his mother, Jo. In his honour, the family launched a JustGiving page benefiting National FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), which has already raised over £10,000. In a heartfelt message, his mother said: "We have been overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of messages of love and support on social media and in comments to press reporting. "We would like to thank the BBC, Studio Lambert and everyone at Race Across The World production, fellow contestants and fans of the show for all their support at this terrible time. It has been very comforting to know that Sam touched so many people. "I have been particularly moved by all the messages that Sam was an inspiration to many who have been impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder." Sam famously appeared on the BBC hit show alongside his mother, Jo Article continues below As Sam's adoptive parents, they had faced the challenges of his FASD diagnosis together, and his mother added: "National FASD helped us on that journey. If some good comes of this tragedy, it will be that FASD is better understood." The accident occurred when Mr Gardiner's white Volkswagen Golf R estate veered off the road, rolled, and landed on its side. The tragic incident occurred on the A34 in Gatley, near Cheadle, on Monday, May 26. He succumbed to his injuries three days later, as confirmed by his family last week. In March 2020, Sam and Jo embarked on a journey across Mexico and Argentina for the second series of the BBC show. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter Andrew Gardiner, Sam's father, shared: "When the news broke last week, friends asked how they could help. "After some thought, I decided to set up a JustGiving page to raise money for National FASD in memory of Sam. The page is called Sam Gardiner; Super Human. "I set the target at £500 thinking a few friends might be generous enough to make a donation. So far it's raised 20 times that. It's very humbling to see the RATW family rally to this worthy cause." The National Organisation for FASD, according to its official website, "provides support to people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, their families and communities, campaigns to raise public awareness, and promotes relevant policies and practices". FASD, as described on the website, results "when prenatal alcohol exposure affects the developing brain and body. It further explains: "FASD is a spectrum. Each person with FASD is affected differently. ""While more than 400 conditions can co-occur, FASD is at its core a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. All people with FASD have many strengths. Early diagnosis and appropriate support are essential, especially for executive functioning. " A post on the official National FASD Instagram account read: "Sam lived his life full of love, exuberance and adventure as seen on BBC's Race Across the World. Article continues below ""National FASD is both humbled and honoured to help carry on his legacy via donations coming from hundreds. ". A private funeral service is scheduled for later this month. Find out more about the fundraiser here
