If you're here and reading this, thank you. As some of you may know our baby girl Hazel lost her fight against a rare genetic condition called Hereditary Lymphedema type iii on April 29th 2019. It turns out we are carriers for this condition, we found out when we were around 18 weeks pregnant with Hazel from genetic testing prompted by the loss of 2 prior pregnancies, Hazel's sisters Frankie and Mary-Beth. Hazel was born early at 31 weeks and we knew she would require a long and difficult NICU stay. Knowing that and experiencing it were 2 very different things!

I could write in so much length about our NICU stay but I'll try and keep it to the point. All of that crazy medical equipment kept our baby alive for 48 days, along with a team of miracle workers. ALL of the staff there were amazing. The nurses who looked after Hazel day in - day out were kind, warm and clearly had a passion for their work. In those first days when the whole environment was terrifying to us, they helped to put us at ease. When I was afraid to even touch Hazel for fear of hurting her or dislodging one of her wires, they taught us what all the equipment did and encouraged us to have as much input as we wanted with her care. I would never have had the courage to hold her skin-to-skin if one of the nurses hadn't insisted that she would love a cuddle. Now those memories are all we have and they are so, so treasured. The consultants all worked tirelessly to devise a plan of treatment for Hazel. Our condition is so rare, none of them had ever experienced anything like it but passionately fought to help her recover. Although initially Hazel was responding well, she had too much to overcome and sadly lost her battle. All the way through we felt valued as parents and involved in the decision making regarding her care. Towards the end, all of the doctors spoke to us so delicately and with compassion during the hardest time in our lives.

A few family and friends have asked where they could donate money after Hazel's passing. Where better than to the wonderful NICU that gave us those short weeks with our daughter and gave us the opportunity to build the memories we have? I spoke to the NICU and asked them how I could go about this and after a chat I decided to donate money directly to them. The equipment there is phenomenally expensive so we would like to contribute towards that in any way. I also know from experience that good muslin's and incubator bed sheets are a blessing so I would like to purchase and donate some of those to the ward Hazel was in. It was a comfort to see her lying on a pretty bed sheet, one of the few "normal baby" things in such an alien environment. The ward also provided me with 2 small muslin squares. One for me and one for Hazel that we could swap, so we both had each others scent. Another one of the little things that I will always treasure.

If you'd like to, please donate what you can. No amount is too small and every penny will go towards this place that is doing such wonderful, often heartbreaking work. Thank you all reading, please share if you feel you know someone who might like to contribute.