Leigh and Justin Khoo: Melbourne dads lose miracle baby Owen just one week after his first birthday

Two Melbourne fathers have sent an important message to parents after they tragically lost their miracle baby to a fatal illness just a week after his first birthday.

Leigh and Justin Khoo were overjoyed when their son Owen was born last March, after years of surrogate approval.

He was born prematurely at just 29 weeks, weighed just 1.44kg and was diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), meaning he was blind from birth.

With the support of his parents, Owen was able to overcome his rocky start in life and grow into a healthy baby who was no longer dependent on medication.

But in the early hours of March 14, just a week after his first birthday, the couple were shocked to find Owen passed out in his bed.

The year-old was diagnosed with meningococcal disease, a deadly and contagious disease that can inflame the head and spine.

Leigh and Justin Khoo were overjoyed when their son Owen was born last March, after a five-year battle to get approved for a surrogate mother

Owen had only a mild fever in the 48 hours before being admitted to hospital and was already suffering from sepsis, and the diagnosis came as a shock.

His fingers shrank and turned blue, sparking fears that they would have to be amputated, with the inflammation of his head causing multiple brain hemorrhages and clots.

After four difficult days in the hospital, baby Owen passed away on March 17.

His parents took to Instagram to share the sad news with loved ones and revealed that the child had died from the aggressive W strain of meningococcus.

“Due to the infection and the aftermath of his small body sepsis/inflammation, it eventually caused severe brain damage, where Owen was unable to recover or stay alive with any treatment or medication on it,” they wrote.

“Justin and I have to hold Owen until his last breath and I know he feels all the love from everyone who knew him and we know he is now at peace in heaven.”

The couple explained that babies can be vaccinated against the A, C, W and Y strains at nine months of age, but that because he was born prematurely, Owen did not get it on his first birthday as he was technically only nine months old. -old.

Owen had only a mild fever in the 48 hours before being admitted to hospital and was already suffering from sepsis, and the diagnosis came as a shock

The pair urged parents to be on the lookout for symptoms in their own children, warning that the number of cases was rising in Australia.

They said the telltale rash, which looks like red or purple pinpricks or sometimes larger bruises, doesn’t always appear.

“Always follow your instincts, seek professional help when in doubt and advocate for your children,” they wrote alongside a series of photos of happier times with Owen.

In honor of their son, the couple has announced plans to expand their family again, hoping to raise another surrogate.

They are raising money to cover the cost of surrogacy costs, medical bills, legal paperwork, and pregnancy-related expenses.

The Khoos started with one GoFundMe campaign with a goal of $100,000.

The couple explained that as gay parents and people, they have already faced “incredible challenges” trying to grow their family.

After four difficult days in the hospital, baby Owen sadly passed away on March 17th

They said four years of organizing legal meetings, counseling sessions, medical assessments and excessive government paperwork had taken their toll.

“We’ve set up a GoFundMe page as a starting block for us to grow our family again in a way we never imagined,” the couple wrote on Instagram.

“We know this journey ahead of us isn’t fast and it’s not easy, but it’s something we had to plan as a same-sex couple to be able to become parents again.

“With as much love as we can send you all, we want to thank you for your support, words of advice and words of encouragement during these difficult times.”