Three-week-old Sunshine Coast baby Ayura is fighting for her life in intensive care after being diagnosed with sepsis and meningitis.
On 29 January 2026, Jacob and Oceane welcomed their beautiful daughter, Ayura Majella Lennox, into the world.
Her birth was intense and emotional. Shortly after arriving, Ayura required oxygen support and was admitted to the neonatal ward for four days before finally being discharged. It was a frightening start, but they were so grateful to bring their baby girl home and begin life as a family of three.
For almost three precious weeks, life finally felt right. After such a stressful start, they were beginning to feel at peace as a new family of three.
But on Wednesday 18 February their world was turned upside down.
Oceane noticed something wasn’t right with Ayura. She became unresponsive, floppy, and made a faint whimper that no parent should ever hear. When Oceane checked her temperature, it was 38.9°C.
Jacob immediately called 000, but knowing they lived only minutes from the hospital and feeling there was no time to waste, he carried Ayura straight to Emergency rather than waiting for an ambulance.
Upon arrival, a resuscitation call was made and a full team of doctors and nurses immediately surrounded their tiny baby girl.
Within hours, Ayura was diagnosed with sepsis and meningitis and admitted straight to ICU.
Further testing confirmed the infection had spread to the fluid surrounding her brain and spinal cord. An MRI has revealed three abscesses in her brain. Doctors have also identified a small hole in her heart which will require ongoing monitoring.
Since then, Ayura has undergone procedures including a lumbar puncture and multiple attempts at inserting a PICC line so she can receive the full course of IV antibiotics required to fight these infections. After unsuccessful attempts locally, she is now being transported to Brisbane Children’s Hospital for specialist line placement under anaesthetic before returning to ICU on the Sunshine Coast for at least 3+ weeks of intensive treatment and close monitoring.
Meningitis in newborns is serious. Doctors have explained to Ayura’s parents that while many babies recover well with early treatment, it can carry potential long-term complications such as hearing changes, seizures, or developmental challenges. At this stage, there are still many unknowns and the focus remains on giving Ayura every possible chance to heal fully.
Close friend of Jacob and Oceane Monique Collins has watched them face this unimaginable situation with courage and strength and know the coming weeks and months will bring significant challenges.
She has set up a gofundme page to assist the family financially.
“Most importantly, we want to help ensure Oceane can stay home with Ayura long-term to provide the ongoing care, monitoring, and support she will require throughout her recovery. As Oceane was not eligible for government maternity leave support, this situation has created additional financial pressure during an already overwhelming time,” she said.
In addition, the family is facing travel time to hospital, lost income, mortgage and living expenses and ongoing medical costs.
“Ayura is already showing incredible strength. Jacob and Oceane are doing everything possible to support her through this fight,” Monique said.
“If you feel called to support this beautiful family, whether through donation, sharing this page, or prayer, it would mean the world to them during the most difficult chapter of their lives.
“Thank you for standing with the Lennox family.”
To donate visit www.gofundme.com/f/support-baby-ayuras-fight-for-recovery?cdn-cache=0
