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.
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