Home Who we are News 16 September 2020 Home page Holly’s story The patient entertainment system is one of many pieces of equipment supported by the Woolworths and Children’s Hospital Foundation partnership. On behalf of thousands of sick kids and their families across the state, the Children’s Hospital Foundation are thanking Woolworths teams and their customers for working hand in hand to raise more than $60 million over 34 years to positively shift health outcomes for Queensland’s sickest kids. The generosity of Woolworths customers and team members has helped fund ground-breaking medical research, including the development of a rapid diagnostic test for meningococcal, innovative research into childhood nutrition, life-saving medical equipment, and bedside entertainment at Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH), which helps five-year-old Holly Jackson get through her long stays in hospital. Holly, of the Gold Coast, was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart complex – one of the most severe heart conditions a baby can have – when she was 25-weeks in utero, and doctors advised her parents that she would require lifesaving surgery soon after birth. As soon as Holly was born, she had several scans to assess her condition, and at just two days old, Holly’s heart crashed and she required five minutes of CPR when her tiny heart stopped pumping blood around her body. She remained in hospital for 125 days while she fought the life-threatening heart condition and underwent two open heart surgeries. Last year, Holly underwent her third, and following another four weeks in hospital, she was discharged and her mum, Tamara, says she continues to go from strength to strength. “She still requires regular monitoring, and she will be on medication for the rest of her life, but all in all, she is a happy, loving little girl who believes she can achieve anything. Without all the surgeons, cardiologists, nurses and volunteers, this cheeky little monkey wouldn’t be here living life and enjoying every day.” During some of the tougher times in hospital, Holly found solace in the bedside patient entertainment system (PES), which was supported by the Children’s Hospital Foundation thanks to the generosity of Woolworths team and customers. “Having something to distract her when she wasn’t able to leave her hospital bed was quite incredible, and not just for her, but for the whole family,” Tamara said. “That, teamed with the entertainment and distraction provided by volunteers at her bedside or before surgeries, as well as the amazing Loans Library with so many different toys and games, made sure that Holly could be in hospital and still be smiling, amused, and enjoy the simple things in life that come from just being a kid.” The PES is just one of the many pieces of equipment that the Woolworths and Children’s Hospital Foundation partnership has supported. Children’s Hospital Foundation CEO, Rosie Simpson, could not be more grateful for the support that Woolworths teams and their customers have shown, showcasing that famous Queensland community spirit. “When visiting my local store, I love seeing the Woolworths team’s enthusiasm at collecting donations, and of course, the incredible customers who give so generously and lovingly to help our cause, and for that, I say thank you to the Woolworths community and customers for all your support,” Ms Simpson said. “Celebrating the incredible milestone of $60m raised gives us a chance for us to say thank you, and formally recognise that we simply couldn’t do what we do for sick children without the generosity of the Woolworths team and their customers.” Chris Peters, Woolworths General Manager Queensland, said this donation would not have been possible without their amazing community of team members and customers. “60 million dollars is an absolutely huge sum to have raised, and we’re very proud of the effort that our teams and customers have put in,” Mr Peters said. “We feel so privileged to have such an incredible base of team members and customers in both Queensland and across the country, who are so willing to help a cause close to all of our hearts, and it’s incredible to see the impact that their determination and empathy has had on hundreds and thousands of sick kids and their families.” 60 million reasons to say thank you, Holly is just one of them. chevron_leftPrevious article Share Next articlechevron_right Latest News & Events Help sick kids and win big! January 20, 2021 Read more Immunotherapy trial launched to protect children who undergo stem cell transplants January 20, 2021 Read more Lucky Moreton Bay family win brand new car when they needed it most November 26, 2020 Read more Do something wonderful, sign up to our eNews
Home Who we are News 7 November 2019 Holly’s story Holly’s story Home Holly’s story Holly spent her first 125 days of life in hospital with a life-threatening heart condition. During a scan at just 21 weeks pregnant, Tamara and Simon Jackson received the devastating news that something was wrong with their baby. A follow-up scan at 25 weeks, diagnosed their unborn baby with Hypoplastic left heart complex, a condition which causes the left side of the heart to hardly function. As soon as Holly was born, she had several scans to assess exactly what condition her heart was in. But on day two, Holly’s heart crashed and she required five minutes of CPR when her little heart stopped pumping blood around her body. Once CPR was complete and she was stabilised, Holly was sent straight to the operating theatre for her first open-heart surgery. By three months old, Holly had already endured two life-saving operations on her tiny heart. In May this year, brave Holly who is now four, had her third open-heart surgery. Following four weeks in hospital, Holly was allowed to go home and is now back at kindy and doing amazingly well. “I’m so surprised at the difference. Before surgery, she would get tired very easily, look blue, and couldn’t walk without getting puffed. Today she is absolutely loving life, she can jump for the first time ever so is bunny hopping everywhere. We have noticed a difference in her gross motor skills and she’s so much more confident and willing to try new things. There is no stopping her” said Holly’s mum Tamara. “During our hospital stay, the volunteers at the hospital were amazing support. Before her surgery, they were there to distract and play with her, and after surgery, they would come to play at the bedside. The volunteers would bring books to borrow, and the toy loan centre was a great resource providing much-needed distraction and entertainment. She especially loved it when Nanook, the therapy dog would visit. All these things all made a hard time in hospital just that bit nicer and easier and got her smiling again.” Sadly, there is no cure for Holly’s condition, and she will need to continue with regular check-ups, and faces the possibility of further interventions and surgery later in life. But for now, she is a happy little girl full of big hugs and kisses and doing amazingly well. Thanks to you, we can continue to give parents like Tamara hope, by funding vital medical research into childhood conditions. The Children’s Hospital Foundation funds equipment and provides services to help sick kids now, as well as investing in research to help thousands of children in the future. Story written and details correct November 2019 Read more Wonder Warrior stories Your donation will help fund life-saving medical research and critical equipment, and provide the highest level of care for sick kids, just like Holly. 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