“We are truly heartbroken”: AFL star Tom McDonald and wife Ruby share stillbirth heartache
“Our gorgeous Goldie Joan McDonald was born sleeping and became our angel above.”
Trigger warning: Infant loss, stillbirth
Melbourne Demons AFL football star Tom McDonald and his wife Ruby have shared their heartbreak after their baby girl was stillborn at 20 weeks.
Alongside a black-and-white image showing the couple holding their baby girl, the couple shared the devastating news to their Instagram accounts.
The couple, who are parents to daughter Bella, four, and son Leo, two, wrote: “At 11:55pm on Sunday night, 21st of January our gorgeous Goldie Joan McDonald was born sleeping and became our angel above.
“Watching over us and her siblings until we meet again in wonderland.”
The statement continued: “We are truly heartbroken to have lost our baby girl at 20 weeks, but know that she will be forever and always with us all.
“Thank you to everyone who has and continues to support our family, we will never be able to thank you enough for your kindness, love and care.
“Please be patient with us as we navigate life without our Goldie girl in our arms 💛”
Friends and teammates from the football community added words of love and support to the post.
Demons player Nathan Jones wrote: “Thinking of you guys and sending you all the love and strength ❤️”
“Oh guys .. I’m SO sorry to hear 😢💔 sending love and strength to you both xx” added sports presenter and SAS Australia star Abbey Holmes.
“I’m so so sorry. Sending you all so much love and strength x,” wrote model and new mum, Brooke Hogan.
In Australia, six babies are stillborn each day, affecting more than 2,000 Australian families each year. Stillbirth is the tragic loss of a baby from 20 weeks gestation or 400g of body weight, if gestation is unknown.
Stillbirth is one of the most devastating events a family can experience and Bounty Parents sends huge love to Tom, Ruby and their family as they go through this heartbreaking time.
If the subject matter of the story has affected you, please call the Red Nose Grief and Loss 24 hour support line on 1300 308 307 or visit their website here.
