MIRACLE: Jacob Cairns is a happy and healthy seven-year-old, thanks to Child Flight which helped save his life.
IF IT wasn’t for the emergency flight that saved his life, Jacob Cairns would not be here today.
Seven years ago, Jacob’s mum Linda Cairns found herself in a “nightmare” situation.
At just two-and-a-half months of age, little Jacob contracted bronchiolitis – a viral lung infection which can affect some babies so severely they require
hospitalisation.
After a week at Griffith Base Hospital with her sick baby, Mrs Cairns was told to go home and rest.
But what happened next was truly terrifying.
“We were told to wait in the room while doctors worked to revive him three times before taking him to the intensive care unit,” Mrs Cairns said.
“Thank God Child Flight was called about 2am and Jacob was flown straight to a specialist ICU unit at Westmead Children’s where he was stable within just two days.”
Prior to her experience she had never heard of Child Flight but has now teamed up with her sister-in-law and best friend, Dee Rebetzke, to raise money for “Fuel Our Mission” – a drive to help fund the organisation’s
costly fuel bill.
The not-for-profit organisation provides emergency helicopter flights to critically ill children.
An hour’s flying time costs $800 in fuel alone but the organisation provides the service free to families that need it.
Mrs Cairns and Mrs Rebetzke are asking others in the Griffith region to donate to the charity and help fuel its vital missions to the area.
“Everyone should get behind this service and support ‘Fuel Our Mission,” Mrs Rebetzke said.
“Everyone should be aware of Child Flight, even if you are a grandparent or an uncle; you never know when your children or kids of someone close to you are going to need this service.”
Anyone who wants to make a donation can contact Mrs Cairns on 0439 846 160.