Esther Lauaki
Sarah Gambin’s heart has endured more than any mother’s should ever have to, but her love for her children gives her the strength to keep up the fight for HeartKids.
The Keilor East mum was pregnant with her second child when she was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy – disease of the heart muscle – after her daughter Mayah was diagnosed with heart failure.
When Mayah was 14 months she received a heart transplant but her body rejected the transplant and she died just months shy of her second birthday in 2015.
In a heartbreaking twist, Sarah gave birth to son Charlie who was also born with dilated cardiomyopathy, which was detected at two weeks after genetic testing.
Charlie must now take medication twice a day, every day and has regular cardiology appointments.
“I was stunned when we found out, I wasn’t expecting it … I thought it was just a one-off that Mayah had,” Sarah said.
Sarah said that the cause was a combination of her existing condition and genetics from her husband.
Last weekend, the family took part in the HeartKids Two Feet & A Heartbeat virtual charity walk to help raise funds for kids affected by life-long congenital heart disease.
“In our family we have what we call a Heart Angel [Mayah] and Heart Warrior [Charlie] and myself,” Sarah said.
“We’re very connected to Heartkids.
“I take part in the walk every year and it’s really important to me because it recognises and acknowledges Mayah and all the others just like her.”
“Charlie is such a happy boy who loves being outdoors, riding his bike and relishes life in general.
“The continuous support HeartKids provides my family has been invaluable. We are honoured to be ambassadors for the upcoming online walk and hope others will join us across the city of Melbourne and beyond.”
Esther Lauaki
