After suffering the loss of her four-week-old son from a vaccine-preventable illness, Catherine Hughes devoted her life to making sure other families did not feel her pain.
Key points:
- Baby Riley died after contracting whooping cough in 2015
- Her parents started the Light for Riley campaign to educate people
- A free pertussis vaccine is now available for pregnant women
Her work educating people about the importance of vaccines and immunization during pregnancy through her foundation has earned her a place on the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honor Roll.
Mrs. Hughes said she was incredibly humiliated by the news, but her work had come at a cost.
“It’s also pretty bittersweet because that would never have happened if we hadn’t lost Riley,” he said.
“It comforts me to know that our work has helped protect the lives of babies and families in Australia.”
Riley’s light shines
Mrs. Hughes and her husband Greg lost Riley to whooping cough in 2015.
That same year, the couple launched the Light on Riley social media campaign to highlight vaccine-preventable diseases.
Ms Hughes said days after Riley’s death, they made her tragedy public and encouraged the government to consider free pregnancy vaccines.
Catherine Hughes’ son Riley died of whooping cough in 2016. (Facebook: Light for Riley)
At the time of her pregnancy, no pertussis vaccines were offered during the third trimester.
“Behind the scenes, Australian mothers can now access free vaccines during the 20 to 32 weeks of pregnancy,” she said.
About three-quarters of women across the country now choose to be vaccinated against whooping cough while pregnant, according to Ms Hughes.
Women are now eligible for free pertussis vaccines during pregnancy. (Reuters: Hannah Beier)
One year after Riley’s death, the campaign became the Immunization Foundation of Australia.
The foundation works with researchers, runs workshops with health care providers, and conducts vaccination campaigns, all motivated by Riley’s story.
The challenge of creating a change from a lack of love was that Mrs. Hughes and her husband wanted to embark on the good of others.
“Riley is the reason we started this, but it’s really the community that keeps us going,” he said.
Targeted vaccines
Vaccines and community immunization have become a major problem with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Hughes said the vaccine sentiment had been heading towards her since COVID arrived.
“We’ve been targeted by anti-vaccine activists and trolls before, but at the end of the day, the vitriol and pain they cause us is nothing compared to the pain of losing a child,” he said.
“It feeds us and motivates us.”
Immunization advocate Catherine Hughes says she has been the target of anti-vaxxers, but is determined to continue her education mission. (ABC News: Rebecca Trigger)
He said the people he really wanted to get his message across to were the ones who doubted the vaccines.
“I know we will not influence those who are totally opposed to vaccines,” he said.
“As long as most of us do the right thing, we will all be protected.”
Recognized indigenous service
Alongside Mrs Hughes, several other Western Australians have been honored for their work.
Dennis Eggington, Daniel Ford and Glen Kelly have been recognized for their important service to the WA Indigenous community.
Dorothy West has been honored for her contribution to the First Nations media, while Donna Cross has been commended for her mental health and youth welfare service and Peter Lee for her work in community housing.