Wishlist event raises funds for families in need

September 11, 2015

At just four years old, Corbin Murrowood has endured more than most people go through in a lifetime.

The Sunshine Coast youngster has undergone 19 surgical procedures, battled through four blood transfusions and lumbar punctures, spent almost his entire first year of life in intensive care and requires round-the-clock care.

With Corbin scheduled for a further two surgeries this year alone and set to make countless hospital visits in the future, parents Angie and Luke Mansey are getting behind the 2015 Wishlist Spring Carnival Gala, which will see funds raised to fit out family rooms and a parents’ retreat for families with children undergoing treatment at the new Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital.

Wishlist CEO Lisa Rowe said the annual event — being held on 18 September at The Events Centre in Caloundra — will see more than 550 Sunshine Coast residents and business people as well as high profile celebrities including Rachael Finch, Kate Ceberano, Rob Mills and Sofie Formica come together with the aim of raising $100,000 for the cause.

“The funds raised at the 2015 event will greatly benefit families whose children are being treated in the special care nursery and paediatric ward at the Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital when it opens late next year,” Ms Rowe said.

“The fit-out of these spaces was not included in the scope of work for the new hospital, so our aim is to create an environment where families can relax and retreat from the clinical environment of the hospital while still being in close proximity to their bed-bound child.”

“The 24-hour paediatric family rooms will support up to 14 visitors, incorporating two bedrooms with ensuite, a laundry, lounge and kitchenette.”

“Similarly, the area being created for parents with children in the special care nursery will include three double bedrooms with ensuites, a parents’ resource room offering practical support in caring for newborns or children with special needs, a lounge, a laundry and a kitchenette.”

Mrs Mansey said the addition of these areas would be invaluable for parents with sick children, providing a space for them to collect their thoughts, catch up on some sleep and recharge.

“Seeing your child sick and in pain can be incredibly worrisome and exhausting, particularly when you have to put on a brave face for your little one, so having a space where you can take five minutes to collect yourself without having to move too far from their bedside would be so helpful,” Mrs Mansey said.

“The family rooms will also go a long way in taking some of the pressure off partners who are busy trying to manage work and look after children at home.”

“My husband and I have three other children, so it’s always a bit of a balancing act when Corbin is in hospital. Having access to a laundry and kitchenette at the hospital would save us the hassle of arranging for fresh clothes to be dropped off or even just finding something to eat after all of the cafeterias have closed.”

“When you’re spending long days at the hospital and haven’t slept, little things like that can make a world of difference.”

Mrs Mansey said her son currently visited Nambour Hospital on a monthly basis, in addition to attending specialist appointments and travelling to hospitals in Brisbane and Melbourne regularly each year.

“While Corbin’s prognosis is not clear, we are in no doubt it will be a long road without much respite,” Mrs Mansey said.

“The family rooms will make a huge difference to our hospital stays and to the lives of many other families with sick children.”

More than 100 items will go under the hammer at the 2015 Wishlist Spring Carnival Gala to raise money for the fit out of the new spaces. Both guests and those not attending the event are able to bid on silent auction items at www.galabid.com/auction/wishlist.

The 2015 Wishlist Spring Carnival Gala will be held on 18 September at The Events Centre in Caloundra. For more information, please visit www.wishlist.org.au.

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Please note: Higher resolution images available on request.

Media contact
Kristen Roder, Fresh PR & Marketing
P: 0406 546 461
E: kristen@freshprm.com.au

More about Corbin

Four-year-old Corbin has been diagnosed with a very rare condition called VACTERL syndrome, which affects every major organ. VACTERL stands for vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheo-esophageal fistula, renal anomalies, and limb abnormalities. As a result of this condition, Corbin has holes in his heart and a duplex kidney (where two ureters come from a single kidney). He suffers from epilepsy and Biliary Atresia, a rare liver disease.

Corbin has undergone 19 surgical procedures to-date and requires care around the clock to support his frail health. He has many surgeries still to come to maintain his quality of life — the biggest of which will be a liver transplant that he will need in the future.
Corbin spent the first 10 months of life in intensive care, with much of that time spent on life support. He was resuscitated six times from flat lining, endured four blood transfusions and lumbar punctures.

Corbin relies on special nutritional feeds that are placed through a tube in his stomach, along with his various medications. He also attends Nambour Hospital every four weeks to have his Portacath, a line that runs from his chest wall directly into his heart, accessed. This is in part due to having no IV access left in his body as his veins have collapsed due to over use.

Along with regular trips to Brisbane and Nambour hospital, Corbin also travels regularly to Melbourne to see specialised surgeons.

More about the cause

Paediatric family rooms

This patient lounge provides a change of environment away from clinical areas for patients and visitors. It is an area where family groups can visit and patients can socialise.

This area includes two bedrooms with ensuite, a laundry, lounge and kitchenette that will cater to the needs of higher dependency parents of small children enduring either a short- or long-term stay in the ward.

The 24-hour area will support up to 14 patients/visitors and two staff/volunteers. Wishlist will provide two dining tables, a lounge, chairs, TVs, double beds, window furnishings, coffee tables, a microwave, fridge, crockery and cutlery, linen, lamps etc.

The two single bedrooms will be there for parents needing to remain on close call through the night.

The laundry will service the needs of the both the Children’s Ward and Special Care Nursery families and will include a washing machine, dryer and ironing board funded by Wishlist.

Wishlist also plans to staff the family rooms with volunteers who will ensure refreshments are available daily and the area is kept clean. The volunteers will also offer support to families who may need someone to talk to.

Special care nursery parents’ retreat

This area will serve as transition rooms for parents looking to take their babies home soon but who may benefit from the practical support of medical staff in learning to care for their newborn or to handle special needs.

This space is comprised of three double bedrooms with ensuites, a parents’ resource room, lounge, laundry and a small kitchenette with beverage bay, along with an outdoor balcony.

The parent resource area is a quiet room for use of a laptop, the provision of literature or other resources. Wishlist will fund a four-seater table and chairs, coffee table, a two- and one-seater lounge and a magazine/brochure rack.

The parent lounge/dining room will be equipped with a lounge, dining table and chairs, microwave, refrigerator and other equipment.

The rooms will also accommodate parents needing to remain close to their newborns in the special care nursery. We’ll provide double beds, linen, a small table and chairs, lamps and other furnishings.

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