Good Friday Appeal: Observation that saved baby girl’s life

A friend noticing that six-month-old Aru was breathing unusually fast ultimately saved the little girl’s life.

It never occurred to Smital Patel and Kiran Rathod that their happy, healthy baby girl would end up at The Royal Children’s Hospital – or come to call it her 'second home'.

It never occurred to Smital Patel and Kiran Rathod that their happy, healthy baby girl would end up at The Royal Children’s Hospital – or come to call it her “second home”.

Their daughter Aru, who is the face of this year’s Good Friday Appeal, was just six months old when a family friend noticed her breathing was unusually fast.

It was an observation that ultimately saved the now-six-year-old’s life.

Smital and Kiran took Aru to a GP – who sent the family straight to Melbourne’s RCH, where they learnt she was in end stage heart failure. Picture: Supplied

Smital and Kiran took Aru to a GP – who sent the family straight to Melbourne’s RCH, where they learnt she was in end stage heart failure.

“I remember Aru was admitted to PICU and a doctor called us into a room and asked us to take a seat. When they said she is in complete heart failure, my brain froze and everything around me froze,” Smital recalled.

“All I could hear was the beeping machines and my husband asking about a cure. After that I was awake but I lost all my senses. It took an entire week just to process all the information.”

The family were told had they not brought Aru in, “she would be in cardiac arrest”.

She was diagnosed with viral myocarditis – meaning a virus was attacking her heart – and needed a heart transplant, but couldn’t wait. So for months, she lived at the RCH, where a machine acted as an artificial heart to keep her alive.

Seven months later, she received a transplant.

'Our life was somewhat going back to normal but slowly something didn't feel right. My gut was telling me something wasn't right.' Picture: Supplied

She learnt to walk, talk and eat with her new heart – but Smital soon felt that, once again, something wasn’t right.

“Our life was somewhat going back to normal but slowly something didn’t feel right. My gut was telling me something wasn’t right.”

In 2019, Smital’s instincts proved correct – due to Aru’s viral infection and anti-[transplant] rejection medications, she was diagnosed with PTLD, a precancerous condition.

While she received treatment for eight months, she once again called the RCH home. By 2020, she was officially in remission.

But the family’s relief was short-lived – in 2021, the PTLD returned a second, and then sadly last year, just before Christmas, third time. Despite the hurdles they’ve had to face, they’re determined to stay positive.

As the family look ahead to more treatment in 2023 and prepare to fight PTLD for the third time, Aru continues to live life with a happy spirit and a big smile for everyone she meets at the RCH. Picture: Mark Stewart

This year marks the 92nd anniversary of the Good Friday Appeal – which since 1931, has been dedicated to fundraising for The Royal Children’s Hospital, helping families like Aru’s.

“The Good Friday Appeal tells the most heartwarming, hopeful and amazing stories of the patients, their families, the doctors and nurses of the hospital and has done so for generations,” Chairman of the Good Friday Appeal Penny Fowler said.

“There is every reason to believe this remarkable tale will continue into the next generation and beyond, continuing to tell the stories the matter – and move – us all.

“The thousands of people who volunteer are the driving force behind the Appeal who give their time and effort selflessly.

“Our volunteers are such a powerful and committed group ready to shake tins, answer phones, count coins, host events and to do whatever is needed willingly and generously.”

Last year, a record-breaking $22.3 million was raised for the Good Friday Appeal, and to date more than $421 million has been raised.

Executive Director Rebecca Cowan said the “continued support and generous donations from the many towns and regions … will ensure that even during the most challenging of times, children are able to receive world-class care”.

“Every dollar raised from this year’s Good Friday Appeal is an investment towards The Royal Children’s Hospital’s big, bold and innovative projects, building on existing programs to improve children’s care and lessen the burden of chronic illness over the years to come,” Ms Cowan said.

“Knowing that it has been, and continues to be a very challenging time for many, the Good Friday Appeal sends its heartfelt thanks to all who continue to give what they can to create meaningful change for sick children and their families, enabling the RCH to provide leading healthcare and equal opportunities to our smallest children.”

You can donate to the Good Friday Appeal or find out what activities are happening in your local area here

Originally published as Good Friday Appeal: Observation that saved baby girl’s life