On June 4, Aurora Carroll celebrated her first birthday.
This momentous milestone date is forever entrenched in the lives of Aurora’s parents, Ben and Julia Caroll, grandparents Narrabri residents Jack and Jacqui Warnock, and indeed, the family and many friends who have followed Aurora’s story for the past year.
Aurora and her parents have been walking at least one kilometre a day for the past 100 days leading up to June 4, fundraising and increasing awareness for the 1-in-100 babies affected by congenital heart disease, half of whom will need lifesaving heart surgery.
The walks have taken place in Sydney’s northern beaches where the family lives, and elsewhere in Sydney wherever they happen to end up when they are out and about on family trips and errands.
Other trips have taken place from Gundagai to Noosa, and along stretches of the NSW coastline.
A highlight of these expeditions was their Easter walk with family and friends along the Narrabri Creek walking track on April 3.
Ben and Julia’s final walk with Aurora heralds the end of their challenge on the day of Aurora’s birthday, finishing at Tania Park, Balgowlah Heights for the celebrations.
Monies raised by Ben and Julia through their GoFundMe page will go to HeartKids, Australia’s only national charity dedicated to providing support and information to families and contributing to research for children and adults with congenital heart disease.
Congenital heart disease incorporates a group of abnormalities of the heart and is a general name for any type of malformation of the heart, heart valves or major blood vessels which are present at birth.
“’There is something wrong with your baby’s heart’ are not words you imagine you’ll hear at your 20-week scan.
“This was when our lives changed forever”, says Julia.
“Aurora was born with a rare heart condition called Double Outlet Right Ventricle.
“When Aurora was only six-weeks-old, she underwent lifesaving open heart surgery.
“Her recovery was complicated, but she overcame this enormous challenge with the help of the incredible team at Westmead Children’s Hospital.
“She is now thriving, and we could not be prouder and more grateful for her.
“As HeartKids ambassadors, we want to help shed some light on this organisation so HeartKids can continue their incredible work”.
Double outlet right ventricle (DORV) is where the heart’s two major arteries, the pulmonary artery and the aorta, both connect to the right ventricle.
In a normal heart, the pulmonary artery connects to the right ventricle, and the aorta connects to the left ventricle.
Congenital heart disease is one of the leading causes of death of Australian babies under one and is one of the most common birth abnormalities in the country.
Every day, eight babies are born with congenital heart disease and sadly, four lives are lost each week. There is no known cure.
Congenital heart disease is a complex chronic disease requiring lifelong treatment.
Aurora’s story has touched the hearts of many, bringing an awareness of this condition and instilling hope in the path towards lifesaving research and medical procedures.
Aurora has recently been recruited as a posterchild for HeartKids, her image featuring in their brochures pictured holding a string of heart beads.
Proud grandmother Jacqui says: “These beads represent all the procedures and milestones along her heart journey to recovery.
“Children like Aurora are called ‘heart warriors’ for all that they endure”.
Ben and Julia, together with their family and friends, feel extremely thankful that this landmark date of Aurora’s first birthday has arrived.
Julia added: “We are so grateful for the care and expertise of Aurora’s medical team at Westmead Children’s Hospital and HeartKids Australia for their unwavering support during those tough times.
“Aurora undergoes regular check-ups, with longer intervals now, and she really enjoys taking our dog Gary for a walk along Manly Beach.
“During our darkest days at Westmead, we longed to return home, and we were reminded of the simple things in life – like a walk, a coffee with friends, family time – things we often take for granted.
“I know it might sound like a cliché, but those simple pleasures mean so much when your world is turned upside down.
“Support is a commitment for life because there is no known cure.
“People with congenital heart disease face unique challenges for their entire life.
“Once a heart kid, forever a heart kid.
“Aurora will have medical check-ups for the rest of her life, but we feel optimistic that she won’t require any further surgeries”, she said.
Around 50 participants joined the family for Aurora’s final walk and birthday celebrations.
Relaxing in Tania Park and enjoying the joyful birthday celebrations, there could be no doubt that family and friends would not want to be anywhere else but with Aurora on this very special day.
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