Halle’s Story: A Tiny Fighter, A Big Heart, and a Home Away From Home

– 96 night’s at Ronald McDonald House Canberra

At the end of 2022, Kim and her husband Grant from Merimbula decided to grow their family. They were filled with excitement and hope, but also a little fear.

Kim lives with type 1 diabetes, kidney failure, and high blood pressure, so they knew from the start that this pregnancy would be high-risk. What they didn’t know was just how quickly life would change.

At just 17 weeks, doctors told Kim that both her life and her baby’s were in serious danger due to severe preeclampsia. From that moment, Kim began travelling regularly to Canberra for specialist care, clinging to hope with every appointment.

On Friday, 21 July, Kim was admitted to hospital for what she thought would be a short stay. Instead, a week later, at only 26 weeks pregnant she welcomed her tiny miracle, Halle, weighing just 750 grams.

Born fighting for her life, Halle spent her first months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). During that time, she endured multiple blood transfusions, countless tests, weeks on breathing support, and treatment for a hole in her heart. Through it all, Kim faced her own serious health concerns and a world of uncertainty.

Amid the whirlwind, Kim discovered Ronald McDonald House Canberra a lifeline she didn’t know existed inside the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children. The very day she was discharged, a room became available, and she suddenly had a safe, comforting place to call home just steps from her daughter’s bedside.

“I was so relieved to be out of a hospital bed and into a real room of my own,” Kim said. “Those first few days were overwhelming — my health, a premature baby, and being far from home. But the warmth of the House, the meals, the kindness of volunteers, and the friendships I made with other families… it all brought me strength.”

Kim and Grant’s stay at Ronald McDonald House lasted 96 nights. Without this support, the cost of nearby accommodation would have reached nearly $20,000 — an impossible burden during such a difficult time. Instead, RMHC gave them comfort, care, and connection when they needed it most.

As Halle grew stronger, every milestone, every tiny victory was shared and celebrated with what Kim called her Ronald McDonald House family- the staff, volunteers and the very special friendships made with other families staying at the House. When it was finally time to go home, the joy was mixed with tears of gratitude.

“Ronald McDonald House gave us hope when we had very little. It gave us friendships we’ll cherish forever. And above all, it gave us a home — not just a room, but a true home — while Halle fought for her life.”

Since her stay, Kim has continued to give back to RMHC ACT & SE NSW, donating to help other families and bravely sharing her story to inspire support for the House that became her haven.

Today, Halle is thriving a little fighter with a big story and her family remains part of the RMHC family forever. ❤️