Staff and students among supporters of Bella's Appeal, coast hospital gains CTG machine
Published on 05 May, 2011
Pregnant women on the Capricorn Coast will no longer have to travel to Rockhampton to access a CTG machine, thanks to a special community fundraising appeal supported by current and former university staff and music students.
Adam and Jennie Diefenbach wanted to do something special to honour the memory of their precious baby Bella, who tragically died aged seven weeks.
The Capricorn Coast community showed amazing support for Bella's Appeal, which raised more than $18,000 to make life easier for pregnant women on the coast.
The Diefenbachs recently visited Capricorn Coast Hospital and Health Service to see the state-of-the-art cardiotochograph (CTG) machine that Bella's Appeal has provided. Funds from the appeal also bought an abdominal probe for use with ultrasound equipment.
Nurse Unit Manager of the Women and Family Program Susan Campbell said the machine monitored babies' heartbeats and assisted with foetal assessment during pregnancy and would be a wonderful asset to the service.
"It will mean pregnant women will have access to this service on the coast, saving them from having to travel to Rockhampton."
Capricorn Coast Hospital and Health Service's Women and Family Program provides child health, antenatal and post-birth care and works closely with Rockhampton Hospital's Maternity Unit where women give birth.
Isabella Wren Diefenbach was born on April 6, 2010, and passed away on May 29, 2010. Bella's Appeal consisted of a charity concert and afternoon tea at St Brendan's College and auctions of artwork and other items donated by members of the community.
"We wanted to do something for child health on the coast as an affirmation of Bella's life and the seven short weeks we shared with her," Mrs Diefenbach said.
The couple thanked their families, St Brendan's College, Yeppoon State High School, the Uniting Church, all those who performed, those who donated and the community for their support. There's also positive news on the horizon as Bella's baby brother is due mid-July.