A reunion to tug at the heart strings

Young cardiac patients whose lives were saved thanks to world class technology gathered at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) today to share their experiences. Eight children and their families reunited with cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, nurses and allied health staff to say thank you and pay homage to the special artificial heart, known as a ventricular … Continued

Good Friday – Riley Harris

Riley Harris was born with a very small jaw which meant his tongue sat back further than normal, blocking his airpassage. Riley was only getting one breath out of every four into his lungs. Within hours of being born, Riley was rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital where doctors put a breathing tube down his … Continued

Good Friday – Talia Zougaib

Talia Zougaib contracted a brain infection before she was even born. Doctors suspect her mum became infected with listeria bacteria after eating watermelon. The listeria caused meningitis and from there Talia developed fluid on the brain. She’s had several operations to put shunts in to drain the fluid from her brain, and more operations to … Continued

Good Friday – Rupert de Wolff

Rupert de Wolff’s parents brought him to the hospital suspecting he just had a nasty cold. However, X-rays revealed that Rupert not only had a chest infection, but also an enlarged heart. His condition was life threatening. His parents are grateful the condition was detected and say the chest infection was a blessing in disguise. Read … Continued

Another record-breaking Good Friday Appeal cheque presentation

Isaac Jones, the face of the 2010 Good Friday Appeal, will perform a final official duty tonight when he presents a record breaking cheque for $14,462,000 to Professor Christine Kilpatrick, CEO, The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH). Donors from all round Victoria contributed this amazing amount to support clinical care, research and family services at the … Continued

Angus McLean

Little Angus McLean was in a rush to be born. He came out six weeks early while his mum, Sarah, was in the ambulance on the Eastern Freeway. Angus was born with his bowels outside his body and was just six hours old when he had his first operation. His small intestines were too big … Continued

One-stop clinic a winner with neuromuscular patients

An Australian first, one-stop clinic for neuromuscular disorders that is dramatically reducing the number of visits families make to The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) was officially launched today. The Neuromuscular Clinic is a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic that brings together RCH specialists from neurology, respiratory, cardiology, orthopaedics, genetic counselling, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, orthotics, social work, nutrition, … Continued

Jack Pride

Jack Pride is one happy three year old because he’s heading home for Easter. Jack was born 11 weeks premature with lungs so small that doctors only gave him a one to two percent chance of survival. While Jack has beaten the odds, he still ends up in hospital on a monthly basis. If he gets a cold … Continued

Callum and James Cooke

Callum and James Cooke are the only twins in Melbourne with a rare immune deficiency condition, which has left them fighting for life. They were born without the ability to produce vital antibodies to ward off disease. The pair spent much of the first few years of their lives in hospital, until their condition was … Continued

Thomas Hatton

Thomas Hatton is five years old and is being treatead for an inflammation of his blood vessels, and a neck abscess. For many children at the hospital, drawing and painting not only works as a distraction, but helps develop a child’s imagination. Art can also be used an emotional outlet. Read more Photo courtesy of the Herald Sun.