Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) is a joint project of Rotary clubs across Australia and New Zealand providing life changing and life saving surgery for children in the Oceania region that is not available in their home countries. Volunteers from Rotary Clubs work with medical experts, hospitals, nurses, physiotherapists, pathology and radiology services, airlines, sponsors and other supporters to arrange and deliver this much needed care. They support the children and their accompanying family members who experience a time of great stress and anxiety during hospital and after care treatment.
One of our new members, Mariam Fergusson, has joined the Australia Eastern Region committee. Here’s an update on some recent cases.
Baby Nicholson traveled from Solomon Islands with his mother Emily in January for surgery to remove a rapidly growing abdominal teratoma (a germ cell tumour). The 1.75kg mass was removed at the Canberra Hospital in February, but after two weeks in post-operative neonatal intensive care, Nicholson’s condition had not stabilised. He was transferred to Paediatric Intensive Care at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick for further major surgery and other treatments. His condition slowly began to improve. ROMAC accommodated his mother, Emily, at Ronald McDonald House in Randwick so she could be close to support Nicholson during this difficult time.
Nicholson recovered well enough to transfer back by air ambulance to Canberra Hospital, where he will be monitored carefully until his nutritional status is stabilised.
Nayline is from Santo, Vanuatu and had spinal surgery to correct severe scoliosis which is a bend in the spine that would otherwise have left her with very poor quality of life. She’s 11 years old and is now back home and at school after 2 surgeries and weeks in traction at the hospital. Henry, her dad, came with her as her mum died when Nayline was much younger. Nayline is a very brave little girl who was able to attend the hospital school, despite wearing a traction head band and managed to be awarded student of the week!
Nayline’s medical team were happy with her progress at her final appointment: the follow-up required can be done locally on Santo. She will now continue to grow and develop normally, giving her the promise of a normal and active life without the need for further medical intervention.
Mariam and the team visit the kids and parents at either Westmead or Randwick children’s hospital and its always really heartwarming to see their progress. They make sure that the parents have suitable accommodation, food and clothing, and that they are able to support their child as much as possible.
How you can help
ROMAC is run entirely by volunteers and all donations go directly to the care and medical needs of the children. Most of our surgeons give their time free of charge and Ronald MacDonald House provides accommodation at a reduced rate. Since 1988 over 540 children have been treated. Your donation is important, no matter how small so please help us to continue our work.
Every day Rotarians and Friends are providing funds to cover travel, accommodation and treatment for children and their carers. But if we had more donations we could help more children. Everything you give goes directly to children and their care. ROMAC funds its administration costs through investment and other income.
To donate click here.
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