Guardala family to participate in Balmoral Burn
Enduring a gruelling 420m uphill walk is the Guardala family’s way of saying thanks to the Humpty Dumpty Foundation for helping save their son’s life.
Enduring a gruelling 420m uphill walk is the Guardala family’s way of saying thanks to the Humpty Dumpty Foundation for helping save their son’s life.
Tennyson Point’s Marco and Varteni Guardala will join the Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn on May 26, when funds raised will go towards life-saving medical equipment — much of it their son Alexander used when he was born at just 24 weeks old and weighing 490g in December 2016.
He spent five months at Royal North Shore Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit in a specialist piece of medical equipment called the Giraffe Omnibed.
The youngster was born with a brain bleed and difficulty breathing and, at two months old, suffered chronic lung disease and a diagnosis that meant he was at severe risk of being permanently blind.
A second surgery was successful but Alexander faced nine blood transfusions, six fractured bones and feeding difficulties.
Mrs Guardala realised most of the equipment was donated by the charity and its generous supporters.
“In some ways it (the fact Alexander is their only child) worked to our advantage and let us spend numerous hours in the hospital,’’ she said.
“Him feeling my presence and my voice is all he needed but the whole experience was extremely traumatic.
“We started the journey really strong but nothing prepares you for the medical conditions that come up and emergency situations.”
Even after Alexander was discharged from hospital on Mother’s Day in 2017, he required groin surgery.
Pushing Alexander in a pram up Awaba St, the family took part in the Balmoral Burn for the first time last year and raised a staggering $17,000.
The event raises funds for life-saving medical equipment for more than 400 children’s hospitals and services across Australia.
“It was a great day and it was really lovely to share the charity and the work they do with families and friends,’’ Mrs Guardala said.
“It’s a way to give back to Humpty Dumpty and the work they do.”
A donation box is also at Dolcini Cafe in Putney.
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