In Memory of Zoe Bunny: Supporting SCH Westmead

Kimberly Degenhardt is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Stewart Schmidt.

Donation protected

In honour of Zoe's memory we wish to donate 'cuddle chairs' to Westmead Children's Hospital

Our beautiful Zoe Bunny left this world on Saturday 21.08.21 after battling Heterotaxy Syndrome since birth. Zoe's organs did not develop correctly, and this malformation affected her heart, lungs, liver, stomach, intestines, gallbladder, spleen, veins and arteries.

Zoe was born on 18.04.19 and spent the first 8 months of her life being cared for at Westmead Children's Hospital in Sydney. In this time she underwent 3 major surgeries (2 open heart, 1 abdominal) and many other invasive procedures. In her short life Zoe spent almost 12 months in hospital, across 7 separate admissions.

Zoe was much loved by all the doctors, nurses and allied health professionals who cared for her. She had a wonderful personality: full of attitude, tenacity, spunk, sass, and a neverending love of Bluey. Zoe will forever be 2 years young.

Zoe was incredibly strong willed and had an internal strength beyond her years. She always fought hard, dug deep and made us exceedingly proud of everything she achieved. We will be lost without our little ray of sunshine in our lives.

In honour of Zoe's memory we wish to give back to Westmead Children's Hospital through the purchase of 'cuddle chairs' for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Edgar Stephens Cardiac Ward, who both cared for Zoe. These will be donated in her name and in her memory.

We spent many hours holding Zoe in these (thankfully) comfortable chairs, during her long admissions; allowing us to provide comfort to and create a connection with our critically ill daughter.

Aside from medical equipment, we felt these chairs were some of the most important items in the hospital; and we know Zoe would agree. A cuddle always made her day, they were often requested by her, and we spent many hours holding Zoe, singing and reading to her, and napping in these chairs. As we would have done were we at home.

At times, these chairs were hard to come by and were in great demand across the wards. We feel the hospital is in need of many more, so all parents can nurse their very sick children and build a lifelong connection too.