Please give today so families like Lachlan's can be with together when they need it most
Little baby Lachlan was born at 24 weeks and one day old with his twin brother Brodie.
His parents Katrina and Kierren’s lives were turned upside down when their twins entered the world extremely early, with Katrina having gone into labor at 23 weeks and five days. The shock was immediate “I was absolutely devastated. I felt to blame and felt that I had let my babies down” said mum Katrina. Sadly, Brodie passed not long after birth.
Little baby Lachlan had a long and uncertain road ahead.
Katrina & Kierren lived over four hours away from where Lachlan was now receiving vital treatment in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), they found themselves being welcomed to their new home-away-from-home at Roanld McDonald House Canberra.
“We were welcomed with unconditional love, everyone in the House was very understanding and always made sure we [were] ok, after losing one of our sons” says Katrina.
With the House located within 100m of Lachlan’s NICU crib, the family was able to be by his side day and night. “If RMHC did not exist, we would not have been able to stay by our sons side for the four months he was in hospital”.
As Lachlan got bigger and stronger Katrina and Kierren found themselves further settling into the community at the heart of Ronald McDonald House Canberra, “The House and everyone in it always made you feel like one big family” says Katrina. It is the little things that make the biggest difference at Ronald McDonald House. ‘The meals are always delicious, everyone sitting to eat dinner as a big family, meeting new friends that have now turned into family. The volunteers are always lovely, friendly & up for a chat, the staff are always friendly and approachable, it’s always a supportive and nurturing environment’ says Katrina and Kierren.
The family stayed at Ronald McDonald House Canberra for 117 days.
“We were welcomed with unconditional love, everyone in the House was very understanding and always made sure we [were] ok..." says mum Katrina
Lachlan is now seven and his journey at hospitals and Ronald McDonald House continues, with chronic lung disease and a rare heart condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome along with other conditions that arise from such an early entry into the world. Both Katrina & Kierren meet Lachlan’s diagnosis’ with and open mind and are ready to support him in every way they can. They also ensure impact of how Ronald McDonald House Canberra was there for them when they needed it, supporting both emotionally and financially is never forgotten.
Lachlan and his parents now annually support the House with a donation drive in their home town, paying it forward and supporting other families their time of need. This year the family shared this message to RMHC ACT & SE NSW “Without each and everyone of you, and everything that you do, being by our very sick sons side would have been impossible. Trying to be by his side with a very uncertain future, having the support from the House made it just that little more acceptable.”
Every little bit helps.
The family has now expanded to include Harlow (3) and Azarleah (4months), and everyone is involved in giving back, whether it’s helping pack boxes or putting up posters at work and school. For the family it marks a brave celebration of Lachlan overcoming many setbacks and his ongoing journey while also always honouring Brodie’s memory.
Since 2017, Ronald McDonald House Charites Canberra has been a home away from home for Lachlan and his family. For Lachlan, Katrina & Kierren, the House has kept their family close together for 117 nights, and will continue to support them whenever they may need it.
Support families like Lachlan’s today by donating to our 2024 Christmas Appeal.
