STACEY Negri was 33 weeks pregnant with baby Hayley when things started to go pearshaped.
“My GP in Atherton was concerned she wasn’t growing as quickly as she should, so I was sent to Cairns for an ultrasound and then they decided she had to come out straight away. The placenta had stopped working,” Ms Negri said.
“We were in the Special Care Nursery at Cairns Hospital for 17 days and we were just so lucky to have that facility. Hayley was pretty healthy considering what was going on but it was great to know the support was there when we needed it,” she said.
Stacey and Hayley couldn’t attend last year’s Cairns Pregnancy & Baby Expo due to wet weather, but a close family friend attended and bought raffle tickets on their behalf.
Lo and behold, they won the major raffle prize – a stunning doll’s house, renovated by the Cairns Men’s Shed. A pair of retired painters took charge – undertaking delicate painting, as well as wallpaper and floor coverings for the 12 rooms.
This year Stacey and Hayley are looking forward to attending the Pregnancy and Baby Expo this Sunday and maybe buying a raffle ticket to support the event.
Organiser Alison Cupitt has dedicated months to selling stall sites and organising a vast array of raffle prizes worth an amazing $8000.
“I’m hoping to raise enough money from donations, the raffles and gold coin door fee to make enough to buy a CosyTherm for the Special Care Nursery,” Ms Cupitt said.
Foundation fundraising and event co-ordinator Gaby Thomasz said CosyTherm warming systems allow babies to come out of an isolette and still have temperature support to keep them warm. Parents like the CosyTherm as they feel closer to their baby as there are no barriers.
“Each CosyTherm costs about $6000 so the more money we can raise, the more equipment we can buy to help these most precious patients,” Ms Thomasz said.
“We’ve had some great support from the community as always with incredible raffle prizes such as Loopy the rocking Llama donated by the Men’s Shed, a babymoon package and even a television donated by Child’s World,” she said.
“We would encourage everyone to come along and support this event because the funds will go towards a great cause.”
The Cairns Pregnancy and Baby Expo will be held this Sunday, February 24 from 10am at the Pullman Cairns International.
Photos: (ABOVE) Alison Cupitt, Stacey and Hayley Negi with Loopy the rocking llama.
(BELOW): Stacey and Hayley with the beautifully renovated dolls house they won last year.
