Meet Belle
Belle had her introduction to The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Cardiology team at 22 weeks’ gestation after her mother’s 20-week scan
Belle had her introduction to The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Cardiology team at 22 weeks’ gestation after her mother’s 20-week scan indicated heart and kidney anomalies. She was born with several heart defects, including coarctation of the aorta (narrowing of the aorta valve opening), parachute mitral valve, and a ventricular septal defect (VSD), commonly known as a ‘hole in the heart,’ which spontaneously closed by the time she was three. Belle also has a single kidney.
“Belle was transferred to the Children’s Hospital as a newborn and was expected to have surgery soon after,” Belle’s mum, Karen Strahan, explained. “However, she responded extremely well to a drug called Prostaglandin E1 and, to date, hasn’t needed cardiac surgery, which is fantastic.”
Belle continues to have regular cardiology and renal tests and check-ups with her specialists at the RCH and her Geelong-based paediatrician. “In recent years, Belle has been able to have check-ups with her RCH cardiologist at Geelong University Hospital, which saves us significant travel time and makes the process stress-free,” Karen added. “Belle is in great health today, and we’re so grateful to the RCH.”
Now a Year 10 student at Geelong Lutheran College’s Armstrong Creek campus, Belle leads an active life, enjoying taekwondo, swimming, and volunteering as a lifeguard patroller with the Torquay Surf Lifesaving Club, having earned her Bronze Medallion in 2023.
Belle and her family are forever thankful to the Royal Children’s Hospital, and they get involved in fundraising for the Good Friday Appeal every year.
Check out how Belle’s fundraising is going here: https://fundraise.goodfridayappeal.com.au/fundraisers/bellestrahan
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