Wedding gift for sick kids
Cairns couple chose heartfelt donation in lieu of presents
IN A world obsessed with pandemics and political pointscoring, one Cairns couple’s selfless wedding act offers a beacon of hope and generosity.
When Adam and Tegan Catalano recently tied the knot, they asked guests to donate to sick kids through the Children’s Hospital Foundation in lieu of wedding gifts.
With the help of their family and friends, they raised $3000.
The pair had a special reason for doing so – their daughter, Violet Joy, spent the first six weeks of her life in Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane after she had emergency open-heart surgery.
At Violet’s 20-week scan, doctors found she had a congenital heart disease called transposition of the great arteries and would require surgery soon after birth.
Mrs Catalano said the family wanted to show their gratitude for the support they received during this difficult time from the hospital and the Foundation by giving back.
“Even though we knew that Violet would be born with a life-threatening condition, it was still extremely hard for us when the time came for her treatment,” she said. “There are so many families who don’t have any time to prepare for their kid being sick, and it’s organisations like the Children’s Hospital Foundation which provide essential support when families need it the most.
“They also contribute to research into better outcomes for kids with conditions like Violet’s. Any research that gives sick kids the best possible chance is so important.”
“Our guests were so supportive of the cause, and were so generous with their donations,” Mrs Catalano said.
Violet has recently celebrated her first birthday and one year ‘hearteversary’ of her open-heart surgery, and the family were told at their recent cardiologist check-up that she is doing amazingly well.
Children’s Hospital Foundation acting chief executive, Olivia Jary, said the Catalano’s act of kindness was humbling.
“It’s incredible that Adam and Tegan took a day which is meant to be all about then, flipped it on its head and made it all about others, which I am sure is a true testament to their generous and kind-hearted characters,” she said. “We all wish the newlyweds all the very best in their marriage.”
To help the Children’s Hospital Foundation visit childrens.org.au