Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

 

My inspiration:

I have chosen to run this 5k run for Little Hearts Matter as I believe that the work they do and the support they offer is exceptional. 

Whilst I was pregnant I made friends with Jemma who was also pregnant and also due in September 2012.

At Jemma's 20 week scan the sonographer could not see her babies heart properly and referred her to see a specialist. A week later a foetal echo scan was carried out and hypoplastic left heart syndrome was diagnosed and Jemma and her partner were given information on late terminations and a Filofax from Little Hearts Matter. This Filofax contained information on the surgery available and the lifestyles children with this condition can expect. The Filofax was very reassuring for them and they joined the Little Hearts Matter website.

When Calvin was born he had open heart surgery at 2 days old and spent the first five weeks of his life in hospital. He then had a second operation at 4 months old. He now has regular checks at Birmingham Children's Hospital and his next surgery will be when he is between 3 - 5 years old.

Little Hearts Matter send their members regular magazines that  include other people's stories, they have an online forum where you can ask any question and other families and/or Little Hearts Matter employees help, a phone line to call with any concerns or questions, and they help to support bereaved families.  They support parents in getting the right help and support at hospital, at home and with finances. They hold an annual event which consists of work shops where you can find out more information on latest developments, all the children get together and you can interact with other families with various different experiences.

Jemma is a super Mummy! She has remained strong and positive through such a worrying time, and is an inspiration. Calvin is also strong - he recovered from his operations remarkably quick. He is a smiley, happy little boy and I love watching him grow.

 

I asked Jemma how Little Hearts Matter had helped her family -

"Without this charity we would be stepping into the unknown. I seek advice on everyday things that most parents don't need to take a second thought about such as swimming/exercise/medicines/travel/nursery or school etc. They helped us though all the scary times and made it so we didn't feel so alone."

 

 

Info on Little Hearts Matter:

Little Hearts Matter is a national charity working for families where a single ventricle heart condition (half a working heart) has been diagnosed.

Around 600 babies per year are diagnosed as having half a working heart. In the past most of these children would have died, but thanks to the development of life-saving surgery many of them now survive, although their hearts will never be normal. The children have to learn to live within the restrictions that their condition creates. For many of them transplant will be needed before they reach adult life.

The charity offers support and information to anyone affected by these complex disorders from the time of diagnosis, through treatment and life at home.

Little Hearts Matter believes that half a heart should not mean half a life.

 

And a final word from me..........

I think pregnancy and parenthood is a worrying enough time, and I can only imagine how much harder this must be when faced with extra challenges. Any charity that is able to offer help and support in this way should be supported. This is why I running to raise funds for Little Hearts Matter.

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.