Created in memory of their beloved son, Rohan, the Wolf Pup Memorial Fund is helping families navigate the challenges of neonatal care.
When Konatsu and Karl welcomed twins Maya and Rohan on Mother’s Day 2025, their hearts were full of hope for the future.
Arriving unexpectedly at just 27 weeks, Maya and Rohan each weighed a little more than one kilogram and were rushed into the expert care of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
Though incredibly small, both babies showed remarkable strength and determination from the very beginning. But just weeks into their journey, Rohan became critically unwell. A severe infection led to sepsis, brain bleeding and kidney failure.
Surrounded by the love of his family and the dedicated team caring for him, Rohan fought bravely for 25 days. Despite every effort to save him, he passed away on 5 June 2025.
For Konatsu, the NICU journey will always be remembered as bittersweet.
Alongside the heartbreak of losing Rohan were the precious milestones Maya achieved during her 85 days in NICU. It was a time filled with grief, worry, hope and joy, often all at the same time.
“You can be incredibly grateful that your baby is here and still feel sad about the experience you’ve lost,” Konatsu said. “Both feelings can exist at the same time, and neither makes you a bad parent.”
Moments that mattered most
During Rohan’s final moments, the family was supported by services made possible through the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation community.
They spent precious time together as a family in the Mayfly Room, a dedicated space that offered privacy and comfort as they said goodbye to their son. The use of a Cuddle Cot also gave them extra time to hold him, creating memories they will cherish forever.
Inspired by the compassion shown during their darkest days, Konatsu and her family created the Wolf Pup Memorial Fund in Rohan’s memory, helping ensure other families receive the same support when they need it most.
“We had so much love that we had prepared to give to Rohan, and suddenly nowhere for that love to go,” she said. “Being able to put some of that love into something that could help other families gave us a sense of purpose.”
Supporting families beyond hospital walls
What began as a way to honour Rohan has become a lasting legacy that is helping improve care and support for other families navigating their own neonatal journey.
One of the projects being supported through the Wolf Pup Memorial Fund is the development of a new online education platform for families preparing to take their baby home from NICU and the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). The platform will transform the existing Going Home… What Next? handbook into a more accessible digital resource.
For Konatsu, the project addresses a challenge many NICU parents understand all too well. While she appreciated the information provided by her care team, she often found herself searching online for additional information and reassurance.
“Having reliable information and demonstrations available just a tap away would have taken away some of that mental load and worry.”
The platform will feature trusted information, instructional videos and interactive resources covering topics such as feeding, safe sleeping, infant development, parent wellbeing and bonding with baby.
Through the Wolf Pup Memorial Fund, Rohan’s legacy is helping support families through some of their most challenging moments, just as his family was supported during theirs.
“It feels like we’ve found a way to keep giving the love we had for Rohan,” Konatsu said.
To help continue Rohan’s legacy and support families navigating life in the NICU, visit the Wolf Pup Memorial Fund page.
