Zora Helena's first days...
Donation protected
A lot of people are having a tough time at the moment, but no story I have read or heard has moved me quite as much as my cousin Mario’s. His daughter, Zora Helena, was born a few days ago north of Zagreb, Croatia. In her first 72 hours she experienced a major earthquake (requiring an evacuation); a once in a lifetime COVID19 pandemic that means she has been unable to meet her dad or spend much time with her mum Kristina; and sadly, a heart defect (referred to as D-TGA).
Due to the earthquake, Zora’s parents and the Croatian authorities are currently planning critical life-saving heart surgery in Linz, Austria, in the next two weeks. Due to COVID19 border controls, this might even require a transfer by military helicopter under strict quarantine conditions. She will also need to get herself an ID. While the costs of the surgery and hospital transfer (around E$70,000) will be covered, there are many incidentals and ongoing visits and longtrips that will be needed over the next wee while. I can’t begin to imagine how hard all of this will be for Mario and Kristina in the current COVID19 environment, while also being mindful of the proximity of Croatia to the European pandemic epicentre in North Italy, and ongoing earthquake recovery efforts and aftershocks in Zagreb.
It’s a sad story but the prospects for baby Zora are favourable if she can have her surgery in the next few weeks. My cousin Mario and his new wife Kristina remain positive.
I thought the least I could do, as an Australian (currently residing in NZ), is help raise some funds to ease any further stress on them, especially while they are both not working in their jobs (Kristina is an engineer in Zagreb and Mario a guide in Dubrovnik). The funds could also support local hospitals in Croatia including the one where Zora was born, and Petrova Hospital, which was damaged during the earthquake and needs to be rebuilt.
Cheers and look after yourself. Renata
My cousin Mario & his wife Kristina
Due to the earthquake, Zora’s parents and the Croatian authorities are currently planning critical life-saving heart surgery in Linz, Austria, in the next two weeks. Due to COVID19 border controls, this might even require a transfer by military helicopter under strict quarantine conditions. She will also need to get herself an ID. While the costs of the surgery and hospital transfer (around E$70,000) will be covered, there are many incidentals and ongoing visits and longtrips that will be needed over the next wee while. I can’t begin to imagine how hard all of this will be for Mario and Kristina in the current COVID19 environment, while also being mindful of the proximity of Croatia to the European pandemic epicentre in North Italy, and ongoing earthquake recovery efforts and aftershocks in Zagreb.
It’s a sad story but the prospects for baby Zora are favourable if she can have her surgery in the next few weeks. My cousin Mario and his new wife Kristina remain positive.
I thought the least I could do, as an Australian (currently residing in NZ), is help raise some funds to ease any further stress on them, especially while they are both not working in their jobs (Kristina is an engineer in Zagreb and Mario a guide in Dubrovnik). The funds could also support local hospitals in Croatia including the one where Zora was born, and Petrova Hospital, which was damaged during the earthquake and needs to be rebuilt.
Cheers and look after yourself. Renata
My cousin Mario & his wife KristinaOrganizer
Renata S
Organizer
Tranmere, TAS