The uphill battle of a little 'heart warrior' from Bluff

$0 donated

Started 6 years ago

Easing financial stress for Mirinea and family, allowing absolute focus on the well-being of the baby in his first days and weeks of need

Southland

With absolutely no warning, on Friday 17th February, at 38 weeks pregnant, Mirinea was urgently flown by a medical charter flight, from Invercargill to Auckland Hospital.

A late scan revealed her baby has been diagnosed with some serious heart challenges, and was going to need a lot of love and medical attention soon after his birth.

It has now been confirmed the newborn baby will undergo heart surgery at Starship Children's Hospital in Auckland. His main condition is a narrowing of the aorta (coarctation), but there are a couple of other heart complications too, still to be fully understood - these may also require surgery once he is born.

Mirinea and her partner Harley, have had to leave their two young children (4 year old Ryden and toddler Kane) in Bluff with extended family.

It is understood the baby could be in Starship for at least to 6 weeks, however, ongoing issues and challenges are very likely.

Although the NZ medical system is responding amazingly to the circumstances....there will be significant associated costs to be incurred along the way, including flying the boys and family from one end of the country to the other as required, as well as general living costs while everyone is so far from home.

It would be fantastic if we could get to a point where all the stresses were not financial, but rather, Mirinea and Harley can concentrate purely on getting this brand new tiny warrior's heart and health to be as strong as possible, in order to get him safely home as quickly as possible.

Nigel Perkins' involvement (page creator)

The challenge and heartache this family are about to go through will be intense, life changing, and stressful. If we can all help with some of the inevitable costs that mount up during this time, this can ensure Mum and Dad can stay focused on keeping their energy fully invested in their newborn baby, and his two older brothers.

Nigel Perkins (Registered Financial Adviser) will act as trustee for the ultimate assessment, approval and the final release of all payments raised through the campaign, to Mirinea and family.

Use of funds

The ongoing costs of this serious health battle will genuinely be felt by the family for weeks, months and years to come.

Nigel Perkins (Registered Financial Adviser) will act as trustee for the ultimate assessment, approval and the final release of all payments raised through the campaign, to Mirinea and family.

Latest update

Baby born, all good, campaign unwound... 6 March 2018

Hello amazing donors!

This Give a Little campaign has seen an awesome response. Thank you for your wonderful generosity.

Last Wednesday (Feb 28th) saw the birth of this special little baby – and it really has all been nothing short of a miracle. Against every odd and indication, he was born fully fit and healthy – and despite all the heart specialists’ forewarnings, there is absolutely ZERO NEED FOR SURGERY!

Yes, wow is right !!! This is an absolute game changer, and simply fantastic news - and all indications are the baby will live a healthy and normal life.

This is such an extreme, far cry from the specialists’ scan findings and the excruciating game plan they laid down, just 7 days prior.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE GIVE-A-LITTLE CAMPAIGN?

In short, everything – the underlying cause of the campaign has now entirely changed.

Many wonderful people have given so selflessly to help this ‘lil heart warrior’ and the family get through months and possibly years of medical upset and stress.

The fact is, this little man and the family, have been somehow spared from this ongoing hell (against all medical evidence).

Mirinea and the family are returning to Bluff today, with baby in tow.

Countering this, with no heart surgery, the path forward is an entirely different one, and simply hugely positive by comparison.

Given the reasons why the campaign was launched have now changed so materially, it is deemed appropriate to fully unwind the campaign and its proceeds - therefore, to FULLY REFUND EACH AND EVERY DONATION RECEIVED..

It certainly hasn’t been an easy time, and it is appreciated some donors would be happy to allow the funds to continue to be used for the family – if this is the case, please liaise with the family directly.

At this point, all donations through this site will be fully refunded.

Once again, thank you for your kindness and generosity. Remember, this is an amazingly positive development.

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