Twins’ parents fund raise for Race for Grace at the Children’s Hospital
It’s not often you’re left feeling sad after being discharged from hospital but that’s what Claudia Puglia experienced when she brought her twins Vincenza and Valentino home after a long stay at the Grace Centre for Newborn Care.
It’s not often you’re left feeling sad after being discharged from hospital but that’s what Claudia Puglia experienced when she brought her twins Vincenza and Valentino home after a long stay at the Grace Centre for Newborn Care.
Ms Puglia, her partner Linda Tateossian and the twins, born on September 26, lived in a unit at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead while Vincenza underwent treatment at the Grace Centre for Newborn Care, inside the hospital.
“It was bitter sweet,’’ Ms Puglia, of North Ryde, said of their departure.
“I can’t speak highly enough of these people.
“They were a support network and there were many times Linda and I would question what was going on. It was a really trying time.”
The family wants to give back to the Grace centre and has raised $1500 for the Race for Grace, to be held at the hospital today.
The 24-hour stationary bicycle race in the hospital raises money to buy specialised equipment for newborns in the unit.
“Race for Grace saved my daughter’s life because basically they found all these things we didn’t know and kept her alive,’’ Ms Puglia said.
“There were many times we thought she wouldn’t make it and she wouldn’t come through if it wasn’t for the commitment of the nurses and the doctors; they were just amazing.”
Vincenza was born just under 1.3kg while her brother weighed 2.4kg.
Several complications included a collapsible airway and a hole in her heart. She had to undergo several surgeries to repair her heart, lungs and oesophagus but is now on the road to recovery.
To donate visit raceforgrace2019.gofundraise. com.au
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