By Lisa Ramsden
THE parents of a little boy who passed away earlier this year, just 13 days after being born, will this weekend take on a massive fundraising drive in their beautiful baby’s memory.
Alison and Mark Stevenson suffered unimaginable heartache when Cruz, their youngest of three boys, passed away.
Born six weeks early, they were told that night their youngest child had Down’s syndrome and, by the next day, it was confirmed that he had Transient Leukaemia of Down Syndrome.
He was so unwell that staff at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry warned the shell-shocked couple it was likely Cruz might not survive the urgent transfer to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Royal Victoria Hospital, where he needed to be admitted for potentially life-saving treatment.
Sadly, despite the best of efforts, during which he showed his true fighting spirit, Cruz slipped away on 21 March.
These were, as his family readily admit, the hardest days of their lives.
The Stevensons remain deeply grateful for the constant care and attention their baby boy received while in the Belfast hospital.
As his mother explained, two nurses provided him with around-the-clock care and attention.
This is why they have organised this weekend’s fundraiser, as a way of thanking the NICU unit for the kindness and compassion shown.
On Saturday, they, along with an army of supporters – family, friends and strangers alike – will complete a symbolic 1,500km at their local gym, using exercise bikes, rowing machines and ski machines.
This distance reflects the 932 miles Cruz’s parents travelled between their home in Annalong and the Royal Victoria Hospital during the 12 days Cruz was there.
The Stevensons say Saturday’s event at T1 Fitness will celebrate Cruz’s time on earth and have encouraged people to give up 30 minutes of their day to complete one of the sessions, or simply call in to cheer them on and hopefully make a donation.
As Alison explained, she is certain Cruz has been spurring her and Mark on in the months since his passing.
Compelled to do something in his memory, she sees organising this event as a way of beginning to cope with the loss.
“Every donation, no matter how small, will mean so much to us.
“Keeping Cruz’s memory alive means everything to us,” she said, also acknowledging the love, kindness and support shown to her family.
Looking back, she said that from the moment he was born, “Cruz showed us just how strong he was.”
Alison explained that against the odds he survived the journey to Belfast and immediately started chemotherapy.
“During his 13 precious days with us, Cruz fought harder than anyone could have imagined.
“Time and time again, he amazed everyone around him with his strength and determination.”
