George Hiko was 17 months-old when he was admitted to hospital with symptoms of croup in the early hours of the morning last year.

Staff quickly realised how sick George was and as the croup continued to deteriorate, the team became very concerned with his breathing. 

Henrietta Hiko, George’s Mum fights back tears as she recalls that day. 

“I took him to hospital and he was transferred to intensive care. He actually died on the table and I can’t explain the way I was feeling that day, it still hurts every time I think and talk about it. He had to re-learn to walk and talk after the incident. No parent should have to see their child like that.”

Since then, George has been back in hospital a few times with a similar respiratory illness but has improved quickly.

George is one of hundreds of kids that have been treated in hospital using life-saving equipment purchased through funds provided by the annual Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal.

Last year’s Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal raised $101,299 for a range of equipment for the Well Foundation which was used to fund equipment for the Special Care Baby Units at North Shore and Waitakere hospitals, the Rangatira Children’s Ward and items for use by public health nurses in the North Shore, Rodney and West Auckland communities.

The 2017 Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal has just launched and runs until 22 October this year. 

To show your support for the Well Foundation and other children’s hospitals around the country, you can purchase a $5 raffle ticket or $2 wristband from your local Countdown.

For more information on how you can support this year’s appeal visit www.wellfoundation.org.nz 

Until next time, go well.