Ollie's Story
"The size of my pinkie, that was what his legs were like, they were so skinny. The palm of his hand was not much wider than one of my fingernails, and his skin was quite see-through. As soon as I saw him, I just knew … he was going to have to fight to survive. I was just really, really scared. I was hoping and praying for the best."–Erika, Ollie’s Mum
You could help save the tiniest hearts.
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Born at 24 weeks, Ollie had a 70% chance of survival kept alive by state-of-the-art equipment at Mater’s Neonatal Critical Care Unit (NCCU) until his heart was strong enough, and his lungs were big enough to breathe on their own.
Ollie was one of the lucky ones.
This Christmas, we urgently need to raise $150,000 to fund more state-of-the-art equipment for the 79 babies who will spend Christmas fighting for their life.
Ollie matters.
That's why your donation matters this Christmas.
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Meet Ollie and his proud mum Erika.
Their home is filled with happiness, love and gratitude. They’ve come so far from the despair they experienced last year.
Erika’s life took an unexpected turn when Erika's water broke at just 23 weeks into her pregnancy. In the middle of the night, fear and uncertainty gripped their hearts as they faced the daunting challenge of bringing their baby into the world prematurely.
Doctors at Mater Mothers’ Hospital did everything they could to keep her baby from coming so early, but a week later Ollie was born via emergency C-section.
Ollie's journey began when he entered the world weighing 520 grams, making him one of the smallest babies born at Mater in 2022. Babies born at 24 weeks, like Ollie, have a 70% chance of survival.
Ollie was rushed to Mater Mothers’ Neonatal Critical Care Unit for life-saving care. When Erika was taken to meet her little miracle, she was shocked at how fragile he looked.
"The size of my pinkie, that was what his legs were like, they were so skinny. The palm of his hand was not much wider than one of my fingernails, and his skin was quite see-through,” she says.
Erika saw her son for the first time through the windows of an incubator, hooked up to machines and wires. His eyelids were fused shut, with tiny blue veins visible through his immature skin.
Erika knew Ollie was going to have to fight for his life. She remembers feeling reassured by all the incredible medical equipment that was keeping him alive.
State-of-the-art equipment like cardiorespiratory monitors played a crucial role in Ollie's journey, allowing doctors and nurses to monitor his vital signs and respond swiftly to any concerns.
This Christmas, we urgently need to raise $150,000 to fund more state-of-the art equipment to help other babies in the fight for their life, like Ollie.
You could help save the tiniest hearts.
“Thank you. I don’t think words will ever be enough to thank the people who fund the equipment that saved my little boy’s life. I want you to know your support actually goes towards someone like me bringing a baby home. I didn't think I'd ever get to bring Ollie home, But I did. I am so incredibly grateful.”–Erika, Ollie’s mum.
