Help the Kennewell Family

Hi everyone!

This fundraiser is for my best friends Skye & Chris.

They have a 5 year old boy named Arlo and a 3 year old girl named Zimi and last year they got news that they were pregnant again! At their 20 week scan they found out they were having a little boy but also found out that he was going to be born with a severe and rare heart defect.

It is called Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome and basically means that the right side of his heart was going to be too small to work properly.

Skye headed to Westmead Children’s Hospital, 3 1/2 hours away from all of her friends and family, 6 weeks before their baby boy was due.

Luckily, after a successful c-section, Rocco was brought in to this world but ever since then he has gone through multiple operations including an emergency open heart surgery in front of his parents, cardiac arrests, life support, prolonged CPR which has lead to him now also having cerebral palsy & a lot of other terrible things which no person, let alone a tiny baby should have to go through.

The Kennewells have been staying in the Ronald McDonald House for the last 6 months away from everyone they know so they can keep Rocco in hospital.

He was supposed to undergo a series of 3 open heart surgeries in the first 5 years of his life to strengthen his heart function but unfortunately we have now found out that Rocco isn’t eligible for these life saving surgeries & his parents are in talks with the palliative care team to try to work out how to bring their baby home to enjoy him while they can.

With 2 other beautiful children to look after as well I’m hoping to raise some money to ease the financial burden. Chris is a hard working dad but shouldn’t have to leave his family in these precious days to earn money.

As you can see by these photos Rocco has come a long way and those of us that know him have grown to love him and see his little personality which makes this all so much more heart breaking.

Despite everything they've been through as a family Skye and Chris have maintained their positive and happy spirit as much as they can.

Anything you can share with them will be so appreciated and go along way in helping this beautiful family enjoy the rest of their time together & cover the medical costs of all Rocco’s supplies when he gets home.