The doctors and nurses on our Neurology Ward have made a Christmas list this year – will you help grant their wish? 

Five ICU beds with built-in weight scales. Two bariatric tilt wheelchairs for patients who need support to sit upright. Five non-slip falls mats that help patients learn to walk again safely. These aren’t the kind of things on most people’s Christmas wish list, but they’re on ours.

That’s because each of these vital pieces of equipment is needed to help the Neurosurgery team at The Royal Melbourne Hospital care for patients like Laura who face the fight of their lives.

Laura was 34 weeks pregnant when she collapsed suddenly, and stopped breathing. The next thing she remembers is waking up on the Neurosurgery Ward – weeks later.

She doesn’t remember having an Emergency Caesarean to deliver her baby boy. Or lifesaving surgery to remove a brain tumour. Or being in the ICU for 13 days.

“I wasn't able to speak, or sit up, or walk. I couldn’t stand up or eat,” says Laura. “I had no idea what had happened.” The team worked closely with Laura to help her begin her recovery – emotionally and physically – and she made amazing progress. After two weeks, she was walking with support and ready to move to a long-term rehabilitation centre.

Now the team wants to provide the same support for the next patient when a brain injury shatters their life. Will you help cross a vital piece of equipment off their Christmas wish list?