Alexander’s story

Twenty weeks into her pregnancy, Mum Leesa was given the worrying news that her unborn son had a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. When baby Alexander was born doctors were standing ready and he was immediately intubated and transferred from Mater Mothers to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

These included a cardiac arrest on day two, a large operation to repair the hernia, a bleed on his brain, insertion of chest drains, sepsis, and a blood clot in the arm.

Mum, Leesa says of this time “We were absolutely petrified. We lived in constant fear. It was extremely difficult because we were trying to be strong for our five-year-old daughter, Willow, who was so excited tofinally have a sibling”.

“We didn’t receive many visitors so these angels provided us with the only respite we would get – enabling us to do our laundry or go outside into the fresh air for 30 minutes.”

Alexander has just turned one and is starting to love cars, trucks, tractors and animals. His sister Willow has been helpful in assisting with Alexander’s physio.

Alexander is one of 20 ambassadors for the Woolworths Regional Wall Tokens campaign.

By purchasing a $2 wall token from now until the end of September, you are helping fund equipment and programs in your local hospital, which help families like Alexander’s through an emotional, stressful, and at times uncertain journey.

Woolworths Regional Wall Tokens is an opportunity to highlight some of the brave kids throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales, who you can help by purchasing a wall token.