$10,000 target for Telethon
LOSING a loved one is heartbreaking, and each and everyone left behind, mourns and deals with the loss in his or her own way.
But losing an eight-month-old child is devastating and naturally the question is why someone so young and so innocent is taken.
Such is the case for Kristian and Gemma Collins, a Bunbury couple with strong Donnybrook connections.
Isla Grace Anne Collins was born on July 7, 2009, and died of Balamuthia mandrillaris (BM) on March 29 this year after a three-week illness.
BM is a rare brain infection, a type of amoebic encephalitis.
The environmental organism Balamuthia can be found in soil or airborne and can enter the body through the lower respiratory tract or breaks in the skin.
Despite this, infection is very rare and the amoeba is not considered a cause for public health concern.
Because of the disease’s rarity, specialists at Princess Margaret Hospital were baffled by Isla’s illness.
There are so many varied symptoms, and Isla’s early symptoms — general “not being well” — could have been related to teething.
Her doctors could not say where or how she would have contracted the infection.
Only about 100 recognised cases of BM have been documented in the world and four of these were children.
Two cases were successfully treated with a cocktail of antibiotics and antiparasitics but both victims suffered permanent neurological damage as a result of the infection.
Isla’s immune system did not recognise this particular bug and her condition was a puzzle.
Due to its rarity and aggressive nature, diagnosis and treatment of this condition is extremely difficult.
Gemma said PMH doctors at couldn’t be faulted, and they never stopped trying to diagnose Isla’s condition. Because the symptoms can mimic other diseases, their task was enormous.
In memory of Isla — and in recognition of and thanks to the dedicated, compassionate, untiring work of the specialists, doctors and nursing staff who attended Isla in PMH — Kristian, Gemma and the City of Bunbury Surf Lifesaving Club are hoping to raise $10,000 for Telethon.
The main event will be on the Telethon weekend of November 13 and 14. The City of Bunbury Surf Lifesaving Club’s surfboat rowers will embark on a 200km row on a set-up course.
Kristian, a surf club member, will be pulling his weight for his daughter.
Teams of five in a boat will complete a section before changing to another crew.
The public is asked to come along and support this event, and enjoy all the fun and activities planned for that day, cheer on the rowers and dig deep for Telethon and Princess Margaret Hospital.
On October 17 is the annual City of Bunbury Surf Lifesaving Club Fun Run in Bunbury.
Kristian and Gemma will be holding a sausage sizzle at this event to raise funds.
A quiz night will also be held at the City of Bunbury Surf Lifesaving Club on Saturday, October 30.
These events are always popular and further details will be advised nearer the night. Tables will need to be booked quickly.
Locally, a street stall and raffles will be held outside the Donnybrook newsagency on September 4.
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