Nothing could have prepared Tori for the night her daughter Ivy was born. On 29 December 2021, Tori suffered a sudden and severe haemorrhage at home in regional Victoria and was rushed to Ballarat Base Hospital. Just after midnight, in the early hours of 30 December, Ivy was delivered via emergency caesarean while Tori was under general anaesthetic. When she woke, Tori was told the words no parent ever expects to hear –  Ivy hadn’t been breathing at birth.

For 18 agonising minutes, doctors worked to resuscitate Ivy. Against all odds, she survived –  marking the beginning of her fight for life. Ivy was urgently transferred to the Royal Women’s Hospital, where she spent her first week in NICU. There, she was diagnosed with Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE), a brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen, and began experiencing seizures. To reduce the risk of further brain damage, Ivy was sedated and placed on a cooling mat. As first-time parents, Tori and Ash found it heartbreaking that they were unable to hold their baby for the first two weeks of her life, watching instead as she lay surrounded by machines.

Despite extensive testing, including an MRI, doctors were unable to provide clear answers about Ivy’s long-term outlook. The uncertainty was overwhelming. Ivy was then transferred to The Royal Children’s Hospital, where she would spend nearly three months undergoing intensive treatment. She was diagnosed with multiple life-threatening conditions affecting her lungs, kidneys, liver and heart. Her kidneys were not functioning properly, causing severe fluid retention that left her tiny body painfully swollen. Seeing Ivy in this state was devastating, but her medical team at RCH worked tirelessly to stabilise her.

Ivy also faced serious breathing complications and required intensive respiratory support. She relied on total parenteral nutrition, along with constant blood tests, scans and round-the-clock monitoring. For a family living in regional Victoria, being far from home added another layer of emotional strain, but knowing Ivy was receiving world-class care at The Royal Children’s Hospital gave them strength during the most frightening time of their lives.

Slowly, day by day, Ivy began to improve. Today, she is growing into a bright, brave and beautiful little girl with an incredible spirit. She continues to receive ongoing care for chronic kidney disease under the guidance of Dr Tom Forbes, but she is thriving –  cheeky, determined and full of life.

Ivy’s parents, Tori and Ash, and their family will be forever grateful to The Royal Children’s Hospital. The care, compassion and expertise of the hospital’s teams gave Ivy a future and supported her family when they felt completely powerless. By sharing Ivy’s story, they hope to honour her remarkable journey and remind other families –  especially those in regional communities – that even in the darkest moments, there is hope, support and extraordinary care when it matters most.

Thank you to Ivy Lee’s parents, Tori and Ash  for sharing this story with the Good Friday Appeal.

EXPERIENCE AS A REGIONAL FAMILY: 

What was it like experiencing such a medical emergency while living in regional Victoria?

It was terrifying. One minute we were welcoming our baby, and the next, everything changed. Ivy needed urgent specialist care that wasn’t available locally. During Tori’s emergency C-section, she was under a general anaesthetic, and Ash had no updates or contact during that time. We didn’t find out what had happened until she woke up. The first time we saw Ivy, she was in a little crib being transported to the Royal Children’s Hospital. Seeing her like that, so tiny and fragile, was overwhelming. Knowing she needed urgent care on top of everything else made it even more frightening.

Did being based in a regional community create any additional challenges during Ivy’s treatment?

Yes. Being far from home made everything harder. We had to stay in Melbourne for Ivy’s treatment, away from our routines, our home, and most of our support network. Long days, sleepless nights, and constant worry were exhausting emotionally, physically, and mentally. All we could focus on was being there for Ivy and supporting each other as best we could.

How did staying in Melbourne affect your family during those early weeks and months?

Being away from home for so long was incredibly tough. Life felt completely upside down no routine, no familiar comforts, and constant worry about Ivy. We leaned on each other and our family for support, taking it one day at a time and celebrating the small moments of progress whenever they came.

How did your local or regional community support you during Ivy’s hospital stay?

Most of our support came from our family. While our wider local community wasn’t very involved, the care and compassion we received at the Royal Women’s Hospital and The Royal Children’s Hospital was incredible. The doctors, nurses, and staff didn’t just care for Ivy they cared for us as parents. Their guidance, reassurance, and constant presence helped us get through a time that felt completely overwhelming.

If you could share one message with other regional families facing serious illness, what would you want them to know?

It’s okay to feel scared, overwhelmed, and unsure. You don’t have to do it all alone, and you don’t have to be strong every moment. Reach out, accept help when you can, and remember that even in the hardest times, hope and support exist you don’t have to face it by yourself.

Why is funding for children’s healthcare in regional Victoria so important?

Families in regional areas face challenges that can make an already terrifying situation even harder distance, travel, and being away from home. Funding ensures children like Ivy can get the care they need without added barriers, and families can be supported emotionally and practically. For us, that support made all the difference. It gave Ivy a chance to fight, to grow, and to thrive.