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Kids Like Brett Need Your Support A life threatening illness that devastated a young family has ended up benefiting hundreds of sick kids.
When Roslyn and Stephen Jones� third child, Brett, was diagnosed with the rare immune deficiency Nezelof Syndrome, they were devastated. As only the 20th case in the world, the prognosis for baby Brett wasn�t good. After a year of living in hospital watching their tiny baby struggle through chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants, the couple were inspired to set up Kids Like Brett � a charity especially for equipment for children in hospitals. Stephen gave up a profitable cabinet-making business to devote more time to the charity, which has raised $600,000 in the past 14 years with the help of Brave Communication and Lilyfield Printing. Last week, Royal North Shore Hospital, invited the couple to see the $100,000 in new equipment their hard work has seen installed in the newborn care unit. �I saw a little baby, 400 grams and our machine was supporting it and keeping it alive�, Mr Jones said. �I hoped nobody noticed but I had tears in my eyes�. �We are one of the only charities that gives 100 per cent of every dollar we receive�. Mr Jones said their aim is to raise $1 million, sooner rather than later. The equipment is used in the intensive care section of the nursery where the hospital�s tiniest patients are on the full life support. The newborn care centre cares for about 450 babies each year. All have either been born prematurely or unwell and require specialist care before going home. Infants are flown in from around the State to Royal North Shore Hospital. Brett has since made a full recovery and along with siblings Rebecca and Scott is fully supportive of his parent�s efforts. Belinda Lawton for Minor Miracle, December 1999 Miracle little footballer scores is first 10 points, Dec 1999 Transplant champion wins gold, Mosman Daily, November 1999 Not Many Kids Like Brett, Mosman Daily, Nov 1999 Giving sick kids a chance, Feb 1998 It's our Father of the Year, 1998 From hell and back, North Shore Times, Nov 1997 Fundraiser recognised, Nov 1997 Bargain buy a bonus, Jan 1994 Brett's battle inspires $100,000 crusade, Dec 1993 Concert tribute to a fighter, Mosman Daily 1993 Steve's ready to sizzle, Mosman Daily Big night out set to sizzle, NorthSide Courier Help Steve snag record, North Shore Times Kids Like Brett Need Your Support A leap for charity, Mosman Daily Charity's new hero, Dec 2002 Community Hero, Dec 2002 |
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