Premmie Surrogate Twins Post Cancer

We are colleagues of Louise Pitcher and we are from IPAR Rehabilitation. We are fundraising for members of the Australia Defence Force family, Dale and Louise Pitcher. Dale and Louise are currently in the Ukraine where their twin babies born via surrogacy – Ivy and Flynn – are in intensive care.
 
Starting a family via surrogacy was a way for Lou and Dale to fulfil their dream to have a family after Lou was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2016. However, the twins were born prematurely at 30 weeks and are in intensive care in the Ukraine, with Louise travelling urgently to be by their side for the first few days and Dale joining her just this week. Louise and Dale are navigating a new city and local hospital system far from the support network of home, while trying to communicate, understand and advocate for the health of their children. 

The current status is that both Ivy and Flynn will require many months of neo-natal care. Ivy in particular is facing a number of medical issues and her condition is critical. 

The cost to fund this care is extensive.

Lou and Dale would never ask for help; both are so giving in service not only in the Defence Force but also now in their roles as medical professionals. We are fundraising on their behalf to support medical and travel expenses so that Ivy and Flynn can get well and get home to Australia. Funds raised are going directly to Louise and Dale.

As Lou tells us “Every day is a mystery. Some days a horrid kick in the guts when we’re told in broken English our child has a brain bleed, heart valve problems and other medical issues. Other days euphoric because we can give a first feed.”