Maria Dima has hit the pavement every day over the past week to raise money to help premature babies and their families.
The Lalor resident signed up for the Mercy Hospital for Women’s Pram Jam – a walkathon to raise awareness and fund help for families experiencing stillbirths and complications from premature births.
She wants to thank hospital staff for their care at the birth of her daughter, Tayla.
Tayla, 2, was born at 30 weeks after it was discovered that Ms Dima was suffering a rare, life-threatening condition, called HELLP syndrome. Ms Dima said she was unaware she had the condition as its symptoms mimic a normal pregnancy.
Following her diagnosis, doctors had only minutes to deliver Tayla to save both their lives. Ms Dima spent two and half weeks in hospital, while Tayla spent seven and a half weeks in the Mercy’s neonatal intensive care unit.
“Being born so early, she needed help breathing … she also had feeding and development problems,” Ms Dima said.
Ms Dima described the staff in the neonatal intensive care unit as “amazing”.
“They were supportive in every little aspect. They were unbelievable with her and every other child in there..”
To donate: www.mercypramjam.com.au
