Mending Baby Brown’s Heart

Our dear friends, Larissa, Nathan and Emilia Brown are due to welcome their new bundle of joy in July 2021. Larissa, a breast cancer survivor, was told that the likelihood of conceiving a first let alone second child was slim. However, like she did when she beat breast cancer, Larissa defied these odds when she had our beautiful Emilia and again when she fell pregnant last year with the newest Baby Brown.

However, on this wonderful journey, the Brown's received a diagnosis that their newest addition has a critical congenital heart defect, with the left side of the heart underdeveloped. A diagnosis received after 20 weeks of pregnancy, after Larissa could feel and bond with her dearest baby who had made a home within her body and her heart. While faced with a difficult journey in light of this diagnosis, in true Brown spirit, our dearest Larissa, Nathan and Emilia have decided that Baby Brown deserves the best fighting chance in life, no matter how hard the battle.

In order to so, the Browns (who currently reside in Townsville, QLD) will need to temporarily relocate to Brisbane, QLD for a minimum period of 7 months while Baby Brown recovers from at least 2 open heart surgeries. A 3rd open heart surgery will follow before Baby Brown is 3. This will require the obvious medical expenses, unpaid leave from both of their jobs, ongoing expenses to maintain their home in Townsville and additional expenses to fund their long term stay in Brisbane. All while knowing that these operations are a risk in themselves, with less than favourable mortality rates.

So, with this in mind, the Brown's village has created this GoFundMe account to help with the ongoing expenses to allow them to fight this battle without the distractions of financial pressures. Having witnessed the Brown's victory over Larissa's cancer battle, their determination in falling pregnant and now their resilience in the face of yet another relentless challenge, there is no family more fit to give this longed for baby the best chance to beat the odds.

For those of you who are able, any donation large or small will give the Browns relief from a stress not needed so please, share with their village what you are able. We are hoping to raise as much as possible as the ongoing costs of relocation, medical and life expenses will no doubt continue to add up over the course of Baby Brown's first 3 years. If I was a betting woman, it is the Browns, who of all people deserve another challenge the least, that will fight and win in mending Baby Brown's heart.