Stories from Joshua

Hi, I'm Kelly and I am starting this fundraiser in loving memory of my son Joshua James Podolan. I first found out I was pregnant with Joshy in mid August, 2024. During my pregnancy with Joshua, I had a complication which ultimately caused me to be admitted to hospital at 23 weeks for monitoring in January this year.. The doctors looking after me hoped that Id stay pregnant until at least 25 weeks to give baby the best chance of survival. Unfortunately, though, on Sunday 19th Jan I felt something was wrong and could tell Joshua was in bit of distress so I pressed the call button and nurses were alarmed by my blood loss so took me down for monitoring and at that point gave me the heads up that they may have to deliver Joshua. They were really worried about his heart rate so they had to deliver him via emergency C section. Beautiful Joshua was absolutely precious and tiny but arrived way too soon. Had he not been delivered that night, he wouldnt have survived so would have been stillborn, so I am very grateful I got to meet him and give him a cuddle. He fought hard to survive but passed away on 22nd Jan due to (likely) sepsis, extreme prematurity and severe pulmonary hypotension. We are beyond sad he is not here, and I just know Stephen would've been an incredible big brother. Since the loss, I've found support through organisations such as Red Nose and In Memory of You, and this has motivated me to want to reach out to other bereaved families. One of few memories I have with Joshua is reading Magic Beach to him while he was in NICU. It was beautiful but also devestating at the same time, because the doctors had told us that things were not looking good for Joshua. To honour this memory and Joshua, I am fundraising to collect childrens books for families who have babies and children in NICU and ICU wards around Perth so they too have the opportunity to read to their loved ones. I appreciate any donation , even $5-10 would be enough to buy one book.. Thank you for helping me reach my goal. Love, Kelly (Joshua and Stephen's mum)