Brave Riley’s fight

Riley Docker was a born fighter.

His arrival was cause for celebration for his parents and two older brothers, but it soon became clear that Riley’s little body was very sick.

From day one he battled. Riley suffered a seizure and serious brain haemorrhaging, with his body thrown out of balance as it reacted to the bleed.

“It was devastating,” said mum Melinda. “He was so sick we weren’t allowed to cuddle him.”

A team of specialists in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit worked tireless to help treat Riley and, with the insertion of a temporary shunt to drain fluids from his brain, the Dockers were able to take their little fighter home just four weeks later.

“Throughout the whole experience the wonderful RCH team didn’t just care for Riley, they cared for us”.

Riley’s family wanted to do something to give back, and, after reaching out to the RCH, choosing to sponsor a bed so they could directly support the teams that helped Riley the most.

Eight months on, Riley’s had a permanent shunt inserted, and the little fighter is successfully achieving all of his developmental milestones under the watchful eye of his two adoring brothers.

Sponsor a bed at the RCH