When Raimond and Kate learned they were expecting their first child, their hearts were full of joy and anticipation. But their world shifted in an instant when baby Apolloh arrived four months early, tiny, fragile, and fighting for every breath in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Canberra Hospital.
For seven long months, Raimond and Kate lived in a cycle of worry and exhaustion. Every day meant early mornings, endless commutes, and long hours by Apolloh’s bedside. The emotional and financial strain was immense. “We were physically drained, financially strained, and starting to lose hope of finding even a moment of peace,” Raimond recalls.
Then, one evening, a nurse gently suggested they visit the Ronald McDonald Family Room, a warm, welcoming space within the hospital where families can rest, recharge, and share a meal.
“I’ll forever be grateful to that nurse,” Raimond says.
“Before then, we had no idea the Family Room existed. I couldn’t remember the last time we’d had a home-cooked meal. It was like heaven. But more than the food, it was the company, being in a welcoming space where we could finally breathe again.”
Inside that little room, Raimond and Kate found more than just a meal, they found sanctuary. Volunteers became friends. Other parents became shoulders to lean on. It was a place filled with compassion, understanding, and community.
“Apolloh was too unwell to be held for quite a while,” Raimond shares. “Just sitting and staring at the same white walls, listening to machines beeping day after day… it was exhausting. But we were genuinely excited whenever we went up to the Family Room. The volunteers and other families became our community.”
The Family Room offered them more than comfort — it gave them a moment of normality. They could eat something healthy, take a shower, relax on the couch, or simply talk with others who understood. “It made all the difference for us,” Raimond says. “It gave us the strength to keep going.”
Today, a little more than 14 months since his early arrival, Apolloh is bright, happy, and full of life ready to take on the world with his parents by his side.
“Caring for your child when they’re really unwell is one of the hardest things a parent can do,” Raimond says. “You need a community around you to get through it. The Family Room made that possible for us.”
Every day, families walk through hospital doors facing uncertainty and fear. With your help, they can also find strength, comfort, and care.
Your support keeps the Family Room open — providing warm meals, safe spaces, and a community of compassion for families during the most fragile moments of their lives.
Because no parent should ever have to face their child’s health battle alone.
Donate today. Help us be there for more families like Apolloh’s when they need it most.
