Christmas can be a time of togetherness, but for families spending the festive season in hospital, it can bring uncertainty and mixed emotions. At Royal North Shore Hospital, patient care and medical research continue every day of the year, with some of the most delicate work happening in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
For Melissa, Christmas will forever be tied to the care that saved her daughter Mariah, who was born 13 weeks premature. “Mariah weighed just 1.2 kilograms—less than half the average weight of a newborn—and needed specialist care and respiratory support,” she said. “It was terrifying, but the NICU team were a pillar of support, especially during those first overwhelming hours.”
Each year, the NICU team cares for about 750 of the most vulnerable newborns, with up to 31 babies in care at any one time through December and January. Behind every monitor and incubator is a team dedicated to bringing warmth and reassurance to parents facing their hardest days.
Dr Eveline Staub, Head of Department and Senior Staff Specialist in Neonatology, said the ward takes on a special feeling during the festive season. “No one expects to be in hospital at Christmas, but it can be especially hard for new parents,” Dr Staub said. “But we do everything we can to bring a sense of joy. The unit is decorated; nurses dress the babies in Christmas outfits and make a Christmas card for parents with their baby’s tiny footprints. We also celebrate every small milestone—a first cuddle, a first feed, or even reducing respiratory support. Those moments mean everything.”
Gilbert Lorquet, CEO of the NORTH Foundation, said the hospital’s Christmas Appeal serves as a reminder that healthcare doesn’t stop for the holidays. “For many, the festive season is a time of joy and rest. But for patients in hospital, it can be a time of uncertainty,” Mr Lorquet said. “While we gather with loved ones, thousands of patients are navigating medical emergencies, complex treatments or lengthy recoveries. Behind the scenes, healthcare professionals continue to show up every day—providing expert care and compassion when it’s needed most. By donating to the NORTH Foundation Christmas Appeal, you can help fund vital healthcare services and innovative medical research—bringing hope and the highest level of care to patients and their families.”
Melissa says her family will always be grateful for that care. “When Mariah finally came home after five weeks in the NICU, we knew she’d been given the best start to life,” she said. “This Christmas, my home will be filled with joy, laughter and the sound of Mariah’s giggles. The NICU team saved Mariah’s life, and I will be forever grateful for everyone that looked after her—they’re the reason we get to celebrate Christmas with her every year.”
To donate to the NORTH Foundation’s Christmas Appeal, click here.
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
