Raising vital funds to support premature babies like our precious Julian
To our loving friends and family,
We have some important news to share with you – on 18th June 2023, I prematurely gave birth to our second precious baby boy, Julian.
Unfortunately, a spontaneous rupture of my membranes caused me to go into labour unexpectedly in the 26th week of my pregnancy. Following a gruelling 5 days at the Royal Hospital for Women where my medical team attempted to sustain my pregnancy, Julian was born via emergency C-Section very prematurely at 27 weeks gestation, approximately 3 months prior to his expected due date.
When babies are born this early, their organs are nowhere near fully developed, and they are susceptible to illnesses, breathing and feeding problems. Julian was born at a tiny 900 grams, approximately the size of a small zucchini or avocado.
When a premature baby is born, mother and baby are separated immediately. Baby is transported to the closest Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which is not always located in the hospital where they are born, and Mum stays on the birth ward - alone. Due to funding issues across the public health system, and lack of equipment and resources, NICUs are not available in every hospital and are only able to accommodate and provide the life-saving 24 hour care required to a small number of premature babies at any given time.
Fortunately for our family, there was a NICU bed available at The Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick for Julian, and we only live 25 minutes’ drive from the hospital. We are able to visit him on a daily basis to drop off expressed breastmilk and have our 1 hour per day of skin-to-skin contact cuddle time.
Julian requires the support of a complex assembly of medical equipment, including a neonatal incubator where he spends the remaining 23 hours of the day to support him to grow as if he were still in the womb, and breathing support because his lungs are still so underdeveloped that he is unable to breathe on his own. Without this life saving equipment and the amazing doctors, nurses and NICU team at The RHW, Julian would not have survived his premature birth or the days that followed. This experience has been in stark contrast to the birth of our other son, Louis-Alexander, where we were able to have unlimited cuddles and bond with our new baby in the safety and comfort of our home.
It is difficult to describe the horror that this journey has been for our family and although my experience as a NICU Mum continues to be panic-fuelled and anxiety-inducing, I cannot speak highly enough of the NICU Nurses and Doctors at The Royal Hospital for Women. Their nurturing care, professional expertise and unwavering dedication go beyond anything I could have imagined. We are forever indebted to the NICU staff who have cared for Julian during this period.
This is particularly significant, considering that this area of Public Health is grossly underfunded, understaffed and lacking sufficient equipment needed to save the lives of the ever-growing number of premature babies being born in NSW every day. The Royal Hospital for Women’s NICU is one of two surgical newborn ICUs in Sydney caring for the most critically-ill premature and newborn babies – like our precious Julian – from all over NSW. They routinely care for babies with complex needs that cannot be handled by other NICUs in the state. 1 in 10 babies born in NSW are born prematurely, and many of these babies will require the same life-saving support that Julian is currently receiving.
Julian has now been in the NICU for 6 weeks, and his progress is promising but we are not out of the woods yet. If he continues to go from strength to strength, we anticipate that this will be the halfway mark in his journey. We would like to now extend the invitation to our friends and families to come together and join us for the second half of our NICU journey, and help fulfil our family’s wish of giving back to The Royal Hospital for Women.
To celebrate finally bringing our sweet baby home and meeting his big brother for the first time, we ask that you help us achieve our goal to raise $100,000 for The Royal Hospital for Women by Julian’s due date, 17th September 2023. You will feel confident in knowing your contribution will make a tangible difference to the lives of more premature babies and their families, and help ensure that every family who faces this heartbreaking situation are as fortunate as we have been.
We are working closely with The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation to raise these funds, and your generous donations will go directly to the Foundation and could be allocated towards the purchase of life-saving cardiac monitors that the NICU team needs urgently (valued at approximately $25,000 each).
Currently, NICU has an older style, handheld transport cardiac monitor. The new cardiac monitors have advanced monitoring technology. Along with being smaller, it can be wall mounted for ease of use/accessibility by nurses and doctors for monitoring and recording of sick babies during resuscitation and transfers. Very tiny sick premature babies are very unstable during resuscitation at birth and subsequent transportation to the NICU. Therefore, having a small cardiac monitor with advanced technology including continuous real-time heart measurements of these critically ill newborns will enhance their survival and ultimately patient outcome. The cardiac monitors can provide ongoing cardiac monitoring/recording for premature babies to provide best possible care and improve cardiac outcomes for babies.
The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation
The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation is an incredible team of philanthropists established within the hospital with the purpose to transform the lifelong health of women and newborns. They do this by funding specialised medical equipment, innovative research, people and programs for The Royal Hospital for Women. The Hospital has a long and proud heritage in Australia as a pioneer in women’s and newborn health and leads the way with research and clinical practices that have been replicated around the world. The Hospital depends on charitable support to make this possible.
Please feel free to reach out to myself, Mitchell or The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation directly if you would like any more information about the equipment, ongoing research and/or how your tax-deductible donations will be allocated.
With all our love,
Ruby, Mitchell, LA & Jules x
Thank you to my Sponsors
$10k
Mitchell, Ruby, La & Julian
$10k
Mitchell, Ruby, La & Julian
To all the nurses, doctors and surgeons at RHW - we are forever indebted to you. You have given us hope and confidence and treated our little boy Julian as if he was your own. This is a small token of our appreciation. We look forward to working with you for a long time, aiming to improve all aspects of the NICU facilities.
$5k
Mitchell, Ruby, La & Julian
To all the nurses, doctors and surgeons at RHW - we are forever indebted to you. You have given us hope and confidence and treated our little boy Julian as if he was your own. This is a small token of our appreciation. We look forward to working with you for a long time, aiming to improve all aspects of the NICU facilities.
$2k
Wolf Property Group
We love you JULIAN! Thank you to all the angels (NICU nurses) who have been looking after him. We can't wait for you to come home.
$1.17k
William Savopoulos
You are an absolute machine Julian, we can’t wait to meet you. Love Will, Marissa, Eloise & Leon
$1.02k
Lui Trunzo
$1.02k
Yiayia Helen & Papou Tim
So much gratitude for the work and skill of this wonderful NICU at the Royal Women's. See you soon, Julian.
$1k
Mali Finance Pty Ltd
Can’t wait to meet you my little boy! To the staff at The Royal hospital for woman we are forever in your debt. No one has ever become poor from giving!
$940
Mitchell
Doubling donations, as promised, made on 30th August 2023 - thank you again to everyone who has kindly contributed to this great cause!
$900
Theony Papps
With Love from Great Grandmother Theony. Thank you for looking after my darling Julian.
$670
Andrea, George & Eva
Dear Julian You are such a special little boy and we love you so much. We pray for your speedy recovery every day and cannot wait to meet you soon!
$550
Fixnflow Plumbing
$520
Nathan Antunes
We love you guys, we can’t wait to meet Julian. Nathan & Amanda ❤️
$520
Penelope Rose & Family
Julian, you are incredible and we can’t wait to meet you when you’re home soon baby boy!!! There aren’t words to thank the incredible NICU staff for the impact they have made xxxxx
$520
Janice Leonard
With all our very best wishes for little Julian and his loving family.
$520
Fastnet Mortgage Group
$520
Cook Family
With love from Amy, Chris, Pat and Kathy xo
$501
Paul S
All the prayers to your little Angel. May God continue to watch over him through his recovery.
$501
Emma Wheater
Love you mama xxx
$500
The Habbouchis
Love you Julian! You were born to make a difference & we can't wait until you can go home with your mum & dad to meet Louis <3
$500
Anonymous
$405
Summer & George
Sending love and strength to an amazing family. Love you all so much xxx
$316.50
Christine Kapsimalis
$316.50
Neolink
God bless Julian 🙏
$316.50
Josh
$312
Unify Constructions
God bless Julian
$312
Warren G
$301
Oleeta Fogden
<3
$263.75
Megan Lomax
Such an important cause. So much love to you all x
$263.75
Connie Dimitri
$251
Randa Kandakji
Lots of love Randa & Issa
$211
Anonymous
$211
David Glasheen
Ruby you are amazing, such strength through adversity. Baby Julian looking 💪🏽
$211
Purvee Patel
Ruby, we hope the target is reached and your son leaves the hospital strong and healthy to play with his grandfather.
$211
Salvatore, Chanel, John & Violette Urbano
Sending our love & well wishes to brave little Julian and your family.
$208
Helina Koczka
Angels wear scrubs ❤️
$200
Kate, Jp And William X
Sending love to you all from your British family xxxx
$200
Anonymous
Lots of love to Julian ad family! Thank you to everyone at RHW
$158.25
Megan Strickland
$158.25
Patrick & Christie Touma
May God bless your strong boy. Thinking of your family during this time xx
$158.25
Manny Alas
$158.25
Anonymous
Sending lots of love to Julian and his beautiful family
$158.25
Daniel Amodeo
Sending our love to baby Julian … Uncle Danny and Christina can’t wait to meet you xx
$156
Alex & Angie M
$150
Alexi & Annie
We can’t wait to meet baby Julian and love you guys xxx
$105.50
Julie Hoare
Good on you for raising funds for this worthwhile cause and all the best to you and your family
$105.50
Tinakoczka4@hotmail.com.au Koczka
👏💋
$105.50
Amy Kwong
$105.50
Ec
$105.50
Anonymous
Not much but from heart. God bless
$105.50
Andrew Sheppard
$105.50
Peter & Stephanie Karefylakis
May god protect him during this hard time for you all!
$105.50
Matt Hall
$105.50
Emily Murray
Keep fighting little man, you're doing so well and surrounded by parents who clearly love you so much, thinking of you Ruby xx
$105.50
Rae Walters
Sending you, Mitch, LA and Jules all the love. You know how this story hits with our family as well. You even share a birthday with my premie boy. Love you Rubes you are one of the strongest women I know and with your friends and family support you are unstoppable. Can’t wait to see the update come through in 6 weeks time of you achieving 2 more goals of raising this money and bringing your beautiful Jules home. X
$105.50
Hayden
$105.50
Stef And Angie Matheos
Wishing your little cutie Jules so much continued strength and good health. Thinking of you all and sending our best wishes to have him home soon. Xxx
$105.50
Alexander’s Friend Brotherford
All our love Julian
$105.50
Josi Demetriou
You are such a brave little boy Julian! Lulu and I cannot wait to give you a big cuddle. Mitch and Ruby: you are superstars: it's not easy with a child in hospital, you are both AMAZING! Lots of love Aunty Josi and Lulu xxx
$105.50
Maria Vitelli
$105.50
Susannah Bull (and Hannah Monk)
Love to you all, so proud of you all and can’t wait for Julian to grow into a beautiful healthy little boy. Good luck with this amazing cause xxxx
$105.50
Paul Kerr
$105.50
Danica Kovac
Oh Ruby what a journey you have been on. Its wonderful to see Julian doing so well. ❤️❤️
$105.50
Nicola Barrie
Love Nicola and Moo X
$105.50
Isabella Katslan
Thinking of you and your beautiful family and congratulations on the birth of beautiful strong Julian ❤️
$105.50
Tina Clark
$105.50
Sophie Volanakis
Thinking of you all xxxx
$105.50
Catherine Patalis
Sending all my love to you during this time. God bless your baby Julian. ♥️
$105.50
Puneet Revankar
$105
Lina Thornton & Family
Love to you all xx
$105
Danielle, Iwan And Violet
The most amazing family I love you all so much ♥️ can’t wait to meet our beautiful boy x
$104
Cindy
$104
Berta
‘Keep growing strong little champion.
$104
Josh & Georgia
Great job guys
$104
Kay
Ruby and family. You are amazing. Much love xx
$104
Hayley Hunter
$101
Daniella Kermeci
Sending all my love and prayers to Julian and the family ❤️ Strong little angel will keep fighting 🙏🏽❤️
$101
Penny
I’m so glad that Julian made it home so fast. He’s obviously a tough little boy. Sending love and hugs to you all xx
$100
Jasmine And Jeremy Safi
Sending lots of love from Jasmine and Jeremy Safi xxx
$100
Sylvia
$100
Debra Walters
Sending loads of love and hugs your way,. Deb &Rich xx
$84.40
Nicole Sussman
$83.20
Sonnie And Josh Rozenbroek
Sending love always, Sonnie & Josh xxxx
$52.75
Joanne Bower
From jo and bec x
$52.75
Souvleris John
$52.75
Gaby Taylor
$52.75
Steve Lopes
$52.75
Lewis Georgalas
$52.75
Chantelle Ralev
$52.75
Penny Prue
Sending you all loads of love and hugs 🤗🥰
$52.75
Felicia Georgas
$52.75
James Sloane
$52.75
Mitch Hunter
$52.75
Bhoomi Hemanthbhai Bhatt
Wish Little Julian smooth and speedy recovery to be with the family and loved ones xoxo
$52.75
Anonymous
God bless your beautiful family Mitchell & Ruby. .
$52.75
Marilyn Gilsenan
$52.75
Jess Flaherty
Sending all my love to you and your family ❤️❤️
$52.75
Dimitri Tsironis
Keep strong. Everything will be ok!🥰
$52.75
Anonymous
$52.75
Jacob Raiwalui
Keep strong Julian❤️
$52.75
Katie Warland
$52.25
Georgia Kapsimalis
💙🩵
$52
Oljay Ozcelik
$52
Evelyn Georgalas
$52
Amy & Dan
Sending love and strength to this beautiful family and the amazing work being done! X
$51
Stephanie Ford
$51
Tina Hanley
$50
Hari Narayanaswamy
$42.20
Nicola Campling
❤️❤️❤️❤️ love you guys
$31.65
Sherrie Cervello
$31.65
Dorothyc
$26.38
Jane Zwartz
$26.38
Tara
Love you guys!!
$26.38
Anonymous
$26.38
Anonymous
$26.38
Joe & Kasey
Wishing you all best! You guys are amazing!
$26.38
Joe England
$26.38
Tiffany Rez
$26.38
Laura Floom Manning
Best of luck to Julian and his family.
$26.38
Jeremy
$26.38
Bek Towndrow
$26.38
Hayden Pham
Congrats on the birth, albeit earlier than expected. Wishing your family the best. Thank you for setting up a great cause. I was 2+ months premature
$26.38
Susan Kranyik
$26.38
Sky Melody
All the love
$26.38
Chris Helich
$26.38
Anonymous
$26
Anonymous
$26
Anonymous
$25
Aisha Shami
$21.10
Josh Ham
$21.10
Anonymous
$15.60
Kara Pickles
Sending love to you all xxxxx
$13
Anonymous
$10.55
Josh Ham
$10.55
Georgina Woolf
$5
To all the nurses, doctors and surgeons at RHW - we are forever indebted to you. You have given us hope and confidence and treated our little boy Julian as if he was your own. This is a small token of our appreciation. We look forward to working with you for a long time, aiming to improve all aspects of the NICU facilities.