Liam Lived For Just 22 Hours. But He Changed Everything.

My name is Chris. I’m a dad to four precious babies who are no longer with us. While I wish more than anything that I could be telling you a different story, I want to thank you, simply for being here.

Just by reading this, you’ve made space for families like mine. You’re showing that you care.

When your world falls apart and you’re left with empty arms and broken dreams, knowing that someone out there cares really does make all the difference.

Liam Lived Just 22 Hours. But He Changed Our Lives Forever

My wife Bethany and I have walked a long road to parenthood. Six years of fertility struggles. Failed IVF rounds. Two miscarriages. A heartbreaking ectopic pregnancy. And then came our beautiful boy, Liam. We chose this name because it means Strong Willed Warrior. And that’s exactly what he was.

Liam was born at 30 weeks. He had Bethany’s button nose, my long limbs and curly black hair. He was strong. A little warrior who fought through the entire pregnancy and right until his last breath.

He passed away in my arms just 22 hours after being born. Even though his life was short, we cherish everything that Liam gave us.

The Loneliness of Grief

In the months after he died, I felt so alone. People didn’t know what to say. Some stayed silent. Others stayed away.

What grieving parents like us need most is acknowledgment. The chance to talk about our baby, to say his name out loud, to know someone remembers.

Thanks to Red Nose and the Hospital to Home program, we found understanding and support in our darkest days. I could sit with a Peer Supporter who had lived what I was living. Who listened, who didn’t try to fix things, who just walked beside me.

She reminded us we weren’t alone. And it gave us the strength to keep going, one day at a time.

Without Red Nose’ Hospital to Home program. I would be a different person.

That’s the power of compassion, and the power of a community that refuses to let grieving families feel alone.

Being able to talk about Liam makes such a difference for us. Sometimes it would give me enough strength to get out of bed to face another day.

Please Consider Making a Donation Today.

Your support helps fund vital services like grief counselling, peer support, memorial events, and more — so that no family has to face the loss of their baby or child alone.

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Behind every donation, every kind gesture, every shared post or thoughtful message, there’s a real person who chose to show up for grieving families like mine. That person could be you. Please make a generous gift to support grieving families going through the most unthinkable pain.

How We Remember Liam

Even though Liam’s time here was brief, he left an incredible legacy. Bethany and I like to feel connected with him by keeping his memory alive and we honour him in our special ways:

• Visiting his plaque at the Red Nose memorial garden
• Walking with our dog every Sunday at 5:30pm — the time Liam left us
• Sitting on a bench Bethany made. A sentimental space of peace and memory
• We scattered part of his ashes at a local beach which has become my second home that I visit often
• The rest of his ashes are at home with his hand & foot casts, and precious mementos

If You Are Grieving: I See You

If you are grieving too, I’m so sorry that you have joined this horrible club that no one should ever have to be a part of. Please know I see you.

Grief is love with nowhere to go. Please don’t give up on yourself.

Whether you’ve experienced loss or not, just by being here you’re making a difference. You’re helping to break the silence around child loss. You’re helping families like mine feel seen and supported.

Thank you for being part of a community that believes every child’s life matters — no matter how short — and that grieving families deserve compassion, acknowledgement, and care.

You are not alone. If you or someone you know is grieving, Red Nose is here for you 24/7. Call our free Grief and Loss line on 1300 308 307 any time, day or night.