By Mara Pattison-Sowden
FOOTBALLERS were seeing green at Yarra Junction on Saturday, which seemed to give the home side the advantage against Powelltown.
Players wore green armbands with the visit of Yarra Junction baby Jaylen Betka Cornish who was born eight months ago with gastroschisis.
Saturday 30 July was recognised worldwide as Gastroschisis Awareness Day, and players from both teams were happy to show their support.
Gastroschisis happens when a baby develops a birth defect (a hole) in the abdominal wall during development, causing complications for mother and child. It is becoming more common globally but still not a lot is known in Australia.
Jaylen’s mother Katie said she was keen to get the message out and let other families who had children with gastroschisis know they were not alone.
Although a Yarra Junction baby, Jaylen has several family members who play for Powelltown, making the competition fierce on both sides.
