Thank you for supporting baby RJ on his NICU journey

Rata and I would like to thank everybody for such an overwhelming amount of support and compassion over the past two weeks as our family has been on this journey with baby RJ.

It is with enormously heavy hearts that we share that our little baby boy passed away on 14/12/24 after fighting for 11 days spent in NICU across 3 different hospitals.

RJ had a extremely rare tumor called KHE causing hydrops symptoms and other complications.

the tumor wasn't discovered until day 8 and treatment was started immediately, but unfortunately the side effects of its placement and size on his little body was too much.

We spent every moment of his 11 days here with us beside him, making sure he knew he was loved and adored and as comfortable as possible.

Again, we would like to thank everybody for their support for our family at this time.

Remaining funds will be put towards a beautiful and honourable goodbye for our little JR.

In the coming weeks I would like to share RJs full journey to honour him, our family and also the countless amount of medical staff that worked endlessly to give us every moment possible with our little man.

__________________________________

This gorgeous little man made an unexpected, and scary, entry into the world on 3/12/2024, almost two weeks before he was due to arrive.

He was born via emergency C-section when his mother, Michelle, went to the local hospital for a check-up: she felt like he was not moving enough, and wanted to ease her concern ...little did she know, not long afterwards, she would be holding his hand for barely a minute or two before he would be whisked away to Neonatal ICU.

The PIPER team worked tirelessly for four hours to stabilize RJ enough to transport him to Melbourne.

Baby RJ was born with complications: his body is not producing red blood cells properly. He has extreme swelling in his tiny face (unable to even open his eyes) due to fluid retention. And he is recieving assistance to breath. Doctors are also very closely monitoring his heart.

The brave little one has endured so many tests and scans. Currently, it is a waiting game until test results hopefully give some much needed answers.

He is so strong, fighting everyday. Michelle, and RJ's dad, Rata, are right by his side. Baby RJ is very weak, and has many tubes helping him survive, but his parents are able to hold his little hands, stroke his head, and just yesterday Michelle was able to kiss his tiny feet for the first time.

RJ has three older sisters who also visit their baby brother and parents. The girls have been relocated with family to be closer to the hospital, too.

This beautiful family from Geelong are still in shock from the sudden events that have occurred over the last few days, and it is expected that RJ may need to spend many weeks in hospital – very likely months – as the amazing medical specialists at the Royal Children's Hospital try and solve the puzzle that is the cause of his issues.

With Rata and Michell desperate to stay with their baby, this GoFundMe has been set up to ease some of the financial strain, and will go towards medical costs, hospital parking fees, bills, and living/travel expenses.

If you would like to help, any donation – big or small – is a huge help to litte RJ and his family. If you are unable to donate, and if you have the time, please assist us by sharing RJ's story and GoFundMe link.

Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.