Fashion Through The Ages Fundraiser
“Some of us arrive too early and for some of us we didn’t get to stay”
Fashion Through the Ages Charity Fundraiser – November 2017
Did you know that every year over 4500 preterm babies are born in Ireland? This equates to a preterm baby being born every 116 minutes in one of Ireland’s maternity units.
On August 29th 2016, shortly after 11:00 my sister Aislinn gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Thomas James Gabriel Latimer, born 15 weeks early and weighing just 758 grams, while she was on holiday in Portugal.
Thomas, such a little fighter, coupled with the love of his parents and the amazing care he received from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Hospital De Faro, at 11 weeks had developed significantly enough that he could be transferred to a hospital in London where Aislinn and her husband Tony live.
After 2 weeks in London, on the Friday afternoon we got the amazing news to prepare for Thomas coming home in 2-3 weeks. It was so good receiving that excited call from Aislinn asking me to help order the Moses basket and other baby bits needed for Thomas's homecoming, complete elation.
The following day my brother in laws parents came to visit Thomas and all was great, until things began to go horribly wrong, Thomas had contracted NEC.
That Sunday Thomas was transferred to another hospital and had emergency surgery carried out to remove the infected tissue and it was thought it had gone well, given the circumstances. Follow up surgery was scheduled for the following Wednesday afternoon, November 30th.
In the operating theater, the Surgeon soon realized that the worst had happened and there was nothing more they could do for Thomas, the infection had spread with catastrophic consequences. All machines were switched off at 15:50 and at 20:05 that same day Thomas aged just 13 weeks and 1-day old passed away in Aislinn's arms.
I can't begin to explain how truly awful an infant's death is or how horrific making arrangements for a baby’s funeral is and hope you've never had to or will yourself.
The feeling of helplessness I have as Aislinn’s sister to give her the support she deserves and my brother in law is immense that I decided I wanted to try and do something over and above emotional and practical support that I came up with the idea of a fundraiser and “Fashion Through the Ages” began.
The event, a fashion show fundraiser is scheduled to take place on Sunday 19th November at the Osprey Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare.
The event is due to take place on Sunday 19th November which is just a couple of days after World prematurity day and the same month as his first anniversary.
Please be advised that monies raised through the fundraiser will be given primarily to the Irish Premature Babies charity with whom I have partnered, the only charity in Ireland supporting the families of preterm babies. The charity delivers front line services to families and supports the work of the neonatal care units around the country.
A portion of the monies raised will also go specifically to the NICU at The University Hospital Center - Faro who were instrumental in giving Thomas a chance of survival and where he spent 11 of the 13 short weeks we were blessed with him.
Whilst the outcome for my nephew was and still is truly awful, miracles do happen.
It is intended that this fundraiser will not only provide much needed money to enable the charity to continue doing the amazing work they do, but also increase awareness of this hugely supportive resource.
However I appreciate that the location and type of event will not suit all so I was encouraged to create a gofundme page to enable those who would still like to support this event.
For more information on the event, please check out the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FashionThroughTheAgesNov2017/
Event Tickets can be purchased on eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/fashion-through-the-ages-fundraiser-in-memory-of-thomas-tickets-37982516730
