Running for Beau

I'm raising funds for Heartfelt as I train to run the One NZ 11km Traverse on the third of November, to honour our son Beau, who was born asleep on 8 June 2023, at 18 weeks gestation.

Beau had Edwards' Syndrome (Trisomy 18), a profoundly debilitating and life-limiting genetic disorder. To understand more about our experience, here is an excerpt from a letter I wrote to our baby boy, before he was born:

“4 days ago, we found out that you had been diagnosed with Edwards’ Syndrome. This was the worst case scenario that we had been hoping would never come to fruition. This means that your life beyond my womb would be both very short, and very debilitating. You would have serious heart, lung and kidney issues, as well as severe mental and physical disabilities that would impact your ability to walk, speak and live.

After weeks of painful discussions, your Dad and I have decided to have a “compassionate induction”. This means that I’ll be induced to give birth to you in hospital.

We love you so much and we always will, my baby boy. I hope you'll come to understand this decision that we have made. We will honour your memory for the rest of our lives.

It has been the greatest joy of my life, growing and nourishing you.

You are loved. You are wanted. You were dreamt-of."

Any donation will be hugely appreciated and will directly help Kiwi families experiencing stillbirth, TFMR and life threatening illness, capture memories of their babies, to treasure forever.