Help out helpers, say family
Barwon Health appeal
THE Concis know better than most the difficulty in marking the festive period in hospital.
Their two eldest children — Jenna and Jayda — have long been regular patients at Barwon Health as they battle a mystery genetic disease that has not been seen anywhere else in the world.
The girls, aged 12 and 10, have each received a liver transplant and spent many months in hospital dealing with multiple complications.
But, thankfully, the family of five will be celebrating Christmas in their Bannockburn home this year.
“We have been in hospital for too many Christmases and know just how important the best hospital care is for those in similar situations to us,” mother Rebecca said.
While they could be forgiven for focusing on their own battles, the Concis are determined to effect positive change.
They have urged the Geelong region to support the Barwon Health Foundation’s Christmas Appeal.
The appeal is raising funds to buy equipment for the increasingly busy Geelong hospital.
“The hospital staff do such an amazing job, so it’s wonderful to be able to support a cause that will help purchase vital medical equipment and improve patient comfort and care over such a busy time,” Ms Conci said.
With about 100,000 extra people spending time in the Geelong and Surf Coast regions during the peak summer period, the hospital’s resources are stretched.
More than 400 extra patients present to the hospital’s emergency department during December and 555 in January, compared to the average monthly figure.
The last festive season also saw 437 babies born, 140 mental health inpatients, and 599 young kids admitted to the Children’s Ward.
Barwon Health is accepting donations at the hospital main entrance and donors will be able to hang a bauble with a Christmas wish for patients on its tree.