Vince and Caroline never imagined they would find themselves in a hospital, standing by their precious daughter Gaia’s side, watching her fight for her life.

She was just three weeks old, and like any new parents, they were still adjusting to life with a newborn. But something didn’t feel right. At night, Gaia’s breathing was strained, and she made unsettling noises as she tried to sleep. At first, they reassured themselves it was just newborn restlessness, but as the days passed, her symptoms worsened, and deep down, they knew something was wrong. 

Then came the day that changed everything. 

Gaia’s paediatrician detected a heart murmur—words that filled her parents with dread. He urgently referred them to a cardiologist, and within days, they found themselves anxiously cradling their baby in the cardiologist's office. As the scan began, the room fell into a deafening silence. After what felt like an eternity, the cardiologist delivered the terrifying news - Gaia’s heart was struggling. Her left chamber was enlarged, her oxygen levels dangerously low, and her condition was critical. 

The shock and fear were overwhelming. 

Their miracle baby, born after eight long years of struggling with infertility, was now facing a life-threatening condition. They gently carried her fragile body from the cardiologist’s clinic—just across the road from Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick - barely able to process what they had just been told. Everything was a blur as the medical team quickly took Gaia from their arms and began their assessment. Time felt like it had stopped. The team explained that her severe coarctation of the heart required immediate surgery. It wasn’t an option—it was her only chance of survival. 

Hearing that their baby needed heart surgery was something they could never have prepared for. It was a moment that shattered their world. The doctors explained that Gaia’s surgery would take place at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (CHW), and before they even had time to process it, they were in an ambulance being rushed across Sydney.

When they arrived at CHW, they were shown to a room in the cardiology ward, where they shared the space with another family enduring their own difficult journey. They tried to remain strong, but the fear and uncertainty were overwhelming. As they waited for Gaia’s surgery, time seemed to slow down, each moment filled with unbearable anxiety. 

On the day of the surgery, Vince and Caroline would never forget the look in Gaia’s eyes as the medical team carried her away. Her tiny body, so fragile, felt heavy in their hearts. She had been sleeping so much, but just before they took her, she opened her eyes and began to cry—as if she somehow knew what was happening. The weight of that moment still stays with them. 

The hours dragged on, and finally, after what felt like an eternity, the surgery was over. Gaia was placed in ICU, her little body covered in tubes and monitors. It was heart-wrenching for them to see her like that. Every breath, every beep of the machines, felt like a lifeline. For days, they sat by her side—watching, waiting, holding their breath alongside her. Time stood still. Every parent who has been in ICU knows this feeling—the waiting, the fear, the not knowing. It consumes you.

After several days in the ICU, Gaia was moved back to the ward, this time to a shared space with other patients. The transition was challenging—emotionally and physically. The ward was busy, filled with the sounds of monitors, medical teams, and other children on their own healing journeys. While it was a relief to be out of the ICU, the environment was a constant reminder of the uphill battle ahead. Vince and Caroline focused on staying strong, drawing comfort from the incredible care Gaia was receiving and the small moments of progress she made each day. 

During their stay in hospital, they were fortunate enough to spend a few nights in a private room. The difference was profound. Having a quiet, calm space where they could close the door, turn off the lights, and just breathe—it gave them the strength they so desperately needed. It allowed them to recharge, to gather themselves, and to be fully present for Gaia when she needed them the most. 

When you have a child in hospital, they are not just rooms—they are sanctuaries in the midst of chaos. When a child is fighting for their life, everything around their family feels overwhelming. But having a space where parents can find even a moment of peace makes all the difference in the world. It helps them hold on to hope and gather the strength they need to support their child. 

Philanthropy is the driving force behind transforming children's healthcare, ensuring that every child, like Gaia, receives the best possible care when they need it most. From funding life-saving surgeries and pioneering clinical trials to building world-class hospital facilities designed for holistic healing, every donation helps change the future for sick kids. 

It’s thanks to the incredible generosity of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation donors like Arab Bank and The Grounds, that more families will get to have this experience when they have to stay in hospital. 

Thanks to the extraordinary care Gaia received, Vince and Caroline now cherish every moment with their beautiful, thriving daughter—a future they once feared they might not have. But they know firsthand that not every family’s story has the same outcome. That’s why philanthropy is more than just generosity—it’s the difference between fear and hope, between heartbreak and healing. Every dollar raised helps change the future for families today, tomorrow and for generations to come.