Support Kimber & Ray with medical costs for their premmie baby Russell
Kimber and Ray need help with $100,000+ medical bills after pregnancy complications and COVID stopped Kimber returning to the Philippines.
Gisborne
Kimber and Ray are a lovely young couple feeling blessed to be with their new baby boy Russell born 7 weeks early. But with their joy they also need serious help to deal to a mountain of medical costs due to being caught out by COVID-19.
Back in December Kimber came to NZ to visit her husband Ray who was working in Gisborne.
They got pregnant in February but developed complications with her pregnancy just as our lockdown started and flights going back to the Philippines got cancelled. Unable to travel home, Kimber received care in Gisborne Hospital for her several life-threatening bleeding incidents due to placenta previa. As her condition worsened, she had to have a life-flight to Wellington Regional Hospital to continue treatment. They were both very worried because their first child passed away after being born 12 weeks early. During her stay in Wellington Regional Hospital, Kimber was diagnosed with several other pregnancy complications including shortened cervix, gestational diabetes, and preterm premature rupture of membranes. Ray came to Wellington for a short time but had to go back to Gisborne to keep working to support them both.
After 7 weeks in Wellington Regional Hospital, Kimber’s condition improved enough for the doctors to feel comfortable to life-flight her back to Gisborne hospital. The day after she arrived back, Kimber delivered their 33-week baby boy Russell, weighing 2.22 kgs. Kimber is now discharged from the hospital while Russell is expected to spend the next 4 weeks in Gisborne’s neo-natal unit for being born 7 weeks early.
While they feel incredibly blessed to have delivered a healthy baby, as non-residents, Kimber and Ray are now facing a mountain of medical bills (approximately $110,000) from Kimber's 7-week stay in the hospital, two life-flights, and Russell's everyday stay in neonatal unit. Without help this could take many many years for them to pay.
Peter Thomson's involvement (page creator)
My wife and I met Kimber and Ray in Wellington Hospital after a member of our church let us know they needed help. We and others have supported Kimber and Ray while they were in Wellington and hope others will now reach out and help them too.
Use of funds
All donations will be used to pay medical bills for Wellington and Gisborne hospital costs and life flights.
Latest update
Russell is home 4 November 2020
Russell is finally home with us. My husband and I are very happy! We are very grateful to the doctors, nurses and friends who supported us during Russell's stay in neonatal unit.
Russell is now weighing 3.12kg. He has reflux though. He always spits, grunts, strains, arches his back and sometimes cry during and after feeds. He gets very uncomfortable that he doesn't want to lie in bed on his back to sleep. Ray and I try to put him on his bed when he is not very fussy but most of the time, we hold him upright and give him cuddles to make sure he gets enough good sleep. He is also a little bit jaundice. We take him outside for some sunshine when the weather is nice and sunny. I am very concerned as I have read that these are symptoms for more serious health conditions. But the doctors and nurses said these issues are expected from a premature baby like him. As long as he is gaining weight, there is nothing to worry about.
On the other hand, we have already started paying installment to settle our 48k bill in Wellington Regional Hospital. Anytime soon, Gisborne Hospital will also send their invoice for Russell's 26-day stay in the neonatal unit.
We have been exploring many ways to fund our medical cost and this page by far is the most fruitful. So we thank all of those who have donated and who keep sharing our page to help us financially. We know that you will be blessed for your kind hearts.
Latest donations
Thank you so much for your generous support!
Than you for your kindness and so much for helping Kimber and Ray. I know they appreciate every contribution.
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