Outcome of The Special Zipper Fundraising

It has been a long time between updates .... we have a little going on. We found out a couple of months ago that Connor's surgeon in Melbourne wants to have a third attempt at reconstructing his Mitral Valve in December. At this point surgery is scheduled for the 18th of December however there are a lot of issues in relation to ICU nurses (lack there of) and thus ICU beds meaning surgeries have been cancelled left right and centre. I love the fact that one article called these kind of heart surgeries "elective". Cause yeah it is just like a knee recon or something like that where you actually have a choice. Connor has about a 50/50 chance of retaining his Mitral valve and having turned six by that stage has reached an awkward age in relation to such a surgery.

Then Tarn's Dad got a couple of pains between his shoulder blades. Wisely decides to see a doctor the next day who says "don't know" but probably safer to get checked out at a cardiac hospital. That was last Monday ... today he had open heart surgery with a quadruple bypass. Non smoker, no family history, no previous symptons!

About a month ago I met with the Chairman of Heartkids SA in relation to the final item for this challenge. What we have decided to do is to hold the Sir Donald Bradman Limited Edition until HeartKids SA have a major event at which time I will present it to them and they will conduct an auction. Out of the 2500 limited edition there are a small number still available so hopefully by the time they are ready there will be none available making the item more desirable.

My aim of this long drawnout challenge was to raise awareness and funds to help ease the financial gaps for families travelling to Melbourne. This aim has been recognised with HeartKids SA recently establishing a fund based on the funds we have already provided along the way of the challenge plus more they have been able to acquire. Whils the cap for benefit is currently low, it is a great start and I feel quite proud to have had a part in flagging the need and doing some grunt work to get the initial dollars into the fund. Ironically we will know be one of those families travelling to Melbourne.

So here ends the challenge in effect as the item will be handed over to Heartkids SA when the time is right by them and the resultant funds will hit the family fund. Thanks to everyone who has followed and participated in the challenge and followed our families trials and tribulations and other junk that appeared on this blog along the way.