Nearly 50 years ago, Christine’s son Evan underwent life-altering open-heart surgery at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH). The exceptional care he received has been a great source of inspiration for Christine in her desire to give back, because that care didn’t just save Evan’s life – it gave him and his family 32 precious years together.
“Not long after Evan was born, we had a doctor come around to tell us that he had problems with his heart. So, we made our way to the RCH where he was constantly in and out. Eventually, he was offered the chance to have the Fontan surgery,” Christine shared.
The Fontan procedure is a type of open-heart surgery, and at the time of Evan’s journey with the RCH, he was one of just 15 people in the world to undergo this operation that came with both hope and risk.
“This surgery wasn’t common at the time, and they weren’t positive he could live through it, but they told me if he did, it would greatly help him,” Christine recounted.
This decision was heart-wrenching and agonising for Christine. But in choosing the surgery, she gave Evan a fighting chance – one that led to 32 beautiful, love-filled years.
Evan’s childhood was full of joy, even though his heart condition made simple pleasures like running difficult. He often struggled to move without getting out of breath, meaning that his younger years looked completely different to those around him. Regardless, he was able to play and find happiness among his close-knit group of friends, affectionately known as the ‘Weston Boys’.
“The boys next door would pick him up under the arms and run with him. His cousins and the Weston Boys would come over to play LEGO and board games – activities Evan could really be part of,” Christine shared.
As Evan grew up, he continued to be adored by those around him – especially his family.
“He was such a wonderful young man, he was very devoted to his grandparents and me. Whenever he came home, there was laughter, there was music, and everything was wonderful. I’m forever grateful to the RCH for giving him those years,” Christine shared.
To show her gratitude, and in loving memory of her son, Christine has decided to leave a Gift in her Will to the RCH Foundation. Her hope is that by doing so, more children like Evan will get the care they need and ultimately, more years to spend with their loved ones.
“Since I found out I would inherit this house from my parents, I immediately made the decision to leave it to the RCH Foundation. There’s never been a doubt or question about it,” Christine said.
“Children are our future. They must be supported and given the best opportunities. That starts with healing,” she concluded.
Choosing to leave a Gift in your Will is an incredibly personal and important decision, and a great opportunity to think about the lasting legacy you would like to leave behind. To find out more, contact our Gift in Will team at giftinwill.foundation@rch.org.au or call 03 9345 5037.