A Tauranga couple has donated more than $50,000 to Starship Hospital to fund a new specialised hospital cot and other essential resources to help Kiwi kids in need.
Jakalah and Chad Jacob raised the money through Miller's Movement, a legacy named after their baby girl who died in the children's hospital last year, aged just 16 days old.
She had a rare lung disease and as she fought for her life, her parents were initially told they couldn't access a life-saving machine because all three were already in use.
Little Miller Jacob was born on April 19, 2021, at eight pounds and 15 ounces. With a head full of hair, she was just perfection to her mum and dad.
"We had a beautiful pregnancy and we had an absolutely beautiful labour, and we got to have that first hour uninterrupted with our little girl," Jakalah told Newshub.
But the next hour it all changed. Miller required oxygen after doctors diagnosed persistent pulmonary hypertension.
When her vitals didn't improve, she was airlifted to Hamilton Hospital but she needed more specialist care. Starship was the only answer.
"There's this thing called ECMO machine, which is a lung and heart bypass, and we just needed to let Miller's heart and lungs rest."
But there was a problem, a big one. Starship had three machines and all three were in use.
The Jacobs were told their only option now was to say goodbye to their baby girl. She was three days old. They were devastated and desperate.
"Every grandparent of Millers and us, we've got houses, we've got homes, we will sell them, we will buy anything," Jakalah said.
As they sat in shock farewelling their girl, a doctor burst in with the best news - a machine had become free. Miller could now receive the specialist medical care she desperately needed.
"We got to enjoy her, wash her and change nappies, read to her and be parents," Jakalah said.
But tragedy struck on day 16. Miller's heart failed and she died in her parents' arms.
It was later revealed she had a rare lung disease.
However, her distraught parents wanted to honour their girl's life and create a legacy, so they launched Miller's Movement to raise funds for Starship for a new specialised hospital cot and other essential resources to help other children and parents.
Their community got in behind them, including Blackcaps star Tim Southee who donated a signed test shirt.
"We were so overwhelmed with people and their generosity. What did we ever do to deserve this kind of support from everybody and it shows everyone is willing to get on board to help Kiwi kids," Chad said.
They raised more than $50,000 and they've presented that cheque to Starship.
It should be noted that the couple only had praise for the medical staff.
The Starship Foundation told Newshub it was deeply grateful to the Jacobs, saying the funds will support children from all over New Zealand who rely on the hospital for care and specialised treatment.
Jakalah and Chad still keep their daughter close. They read to her every night and they keep a Miller shelf in their lounge with her brush, her blanket and her soft toys - a reminder of the precious 16 days they had together.
