Giving back

Hyperbaric nurse Natt McGregor became friends with the Child family after helping care for their son Taz early in 2015. At age 9, Taz was very ill, with two serious conditions simultaneously - leukaemia and a rare fungal infection. The infection had spread to his skull and was inoperable. He was given six weeks to live.

Hope was found with hyperbaric oxygen, which can be successful in treating infections. And that’s where Taz met Natt – in our hyperbaric chamber. For 60 days, Taz spent two hours a day in the hyperbaric chamber and over that time built up a special rapport with his nurses, including Natt.

“When Taz first started with us, it was heartbreaking seeing him come in every day,” Natt said.

“We knew what his prognosis was and there were days I came to work, wondering if he would be there. But every week he got brighter, and the six weeks turned into seven, then eight and so on and hope started to set in.

“He is an amazing young man and I am very lucky to be a small part of the amazing team that helped save his life.”

Taz miraculously recovered, thanks to hyperbaric treatment and a new cancer drug, and is now a happy, active almost 14 year old.

Taz’s mother Minal is so grateful she wanted to give back.

“The Alfred hyperbaric team gave up weekends and holidays to save our son.  Taz was pretty scared and very sick. The hyperbaric technicians linked up his computer so he could watch endless episodes of Top Gear and laugh so hard the capsule would shake,” Minal remembered.

“Natt was amazing. She was funny and caring and Taz loved her, as did we. What could have been an absolute nightmare was one of the most positive experiences we had in all that time. So the money we donated to The Alfred is nothing in return for what we have received from Natt and the hospital. We are forever grateful.”

Natt and her mates are preparing to set off for the Scottish Highlands at the end of March to trek the Rob Roy Way. The Tartan About team of 8 (which includes six Alfred nurses and two Victoria Police officers) are aiming to complete the 124km journey over eight days.

All funds raised during the Rob Roy Way Challenge will support research at The Alfred Oncology Service and Cabrini Breast Cancer Oncology Service (Brightways).

The group is continuing to raise funds.