Still overcome with gratitude, former Bowen local Lynn has decided to leave a lasting legacy to thank the hospital that saved her son’s life more than four decades ago.
Lynn and her husband George’s journey into parenthood was marked with heartbreak, having lost two babies to stillbirth. In August of 1979, they welcomed their third child, Mark, born five weeks premature and facing overwhelming odds. He entered the world with a rare combination of conditions – H-type fistula, hare lip and cleft palate – with survival chances estimated at over 30 million to one.
Within hours, Mark was rushed to the Prince of Wales Children’s Hospital Intensive Care Unit in Sydney, suffering severe respiratory distress. Doctors feared he wouldn’t survive and advised the family to consider an immediate baptism.
At just eight days old, Mark underwent his first surgery, followed by another just weeks later. The months ahead were fraught with complications – a collapsed lung, blocked airways, seizures and multiple resuscitations. Feeding was particularly difficult, and Mark required a gastrostomy tube and intravenous support.
Through each challenge, Lynn spent countless hours at her baby’s side, learning how to care for his fragile body. At four months old, surgeons repaired his lip and part of his palate, before further operations followed in his early years, including another cleft palate repair. With immense perseverance and care, Mark eventually began eating without assistance – a milestone Lynn describes as nothing short of miraculous.
Now, decades later, Lynn calls Mark her “miracle baby” and is ensuring her gratitude lives on. She has chosen to leave a gift in her will to Sydney Children’s Hospital, honouring the medical team who gave her family hope during their darkest days.
Lynn is sharing her story in support of the Fundraising Institute Australia’s Include a Charity Week from 1st to the 7th of September, which encourages Australians to leave a gift in their wills to causes close to their hearts.
Lynn has decided to leave a charitable gift in her will to Sydney Children's Hospital, who saved Mark’s life (Photo Supplied)
Mark’s survival odds were 30 million to 1 but he made it home (Photo Supplied)