A heartbreaking announcement during last night’s episode of The Block had all of this year’s contestants reduced to tears.
On Monday’s episode of The Block, contestants were brought to tears as foreman Dan shared the heartbreaking news of his newborn daughter’s passing.
Dan and his wife Dani Reilly, both former contestants on the show, welcomed a baby girl named Billie on December 8 last year. Tragically, she passed away just 10 days later due to complications during birth.
The couple had announced the loss at the time, and just a few months later, Dan returned to filming the current season of The Block. At the start of Monday’s episode, he and Dani spoke openly to the contestants and crew about their tragedy.
He said they felt “grateful” for their 10 days with Billie, time spent in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit.
“Premmie [premature] babies spend time in NICU, to give them the care they need and the best start in life,” he explained.
“It didn’t end as it should have for us,” said Dani, “but our time there was really special with Billie. The doctors at the NICU, we’ll remember forever.”
Dan explained that he and Dani wanted to turn their personal tragedy, and Billie’s brief life, into a way to raise awareness and funds for the organisations that supported them during their time of need.
“We wish we didn’t need them, but we did, and they saved us,” Dani said.
“Billie’s legacy is now our mission,” Dan added. “We want to raise awareness and funds for The Women’s NICU, Red Nose Australia, and Heartfelt, so other families can receive the care and support that meant so much to us.”
Everyone on site from contestants to tradies to host Scott Cam was visibly moved by the couple’s courage in sharing their loss.
Gold Coast contestant Sonny, holding back tears, said, “We don’t understand what that would be like, but one of my best mates went through the same thing.”
WA contestant Taz added, “They’re such beautiful people. It’s such a terrible thing to have happened to them.”
Dan and Dani’s Billie’s Besties campaign, launched after their daughter’s passing to support the Women’s NICU, has raised nearly $100,000 so far.