On Saturday the 7th of December my gorgeous Nephew Jacob Pound was born and brought joy to us all. 

Unfortunately he had Meconium Aspiration Syndrome which means before and around the time of birth he breathed in the dark green Meconium (child’s first tar like poo) into his lungs. He was taken from his parents and had trouble breathing. His lungs were really bad and Swindon did not have the right treatment for him. Glenfield hospital Leicester had the right care and treatment for him which was his only chance. He became critical and so poorly they could not air lift him, so he was blue lighted to Glenfield hospital Leicester.

My brother and my sister in law were told he might not make the journey. This was a very dark time for them and both families. He made the trip thankfully and had to have a procedure that Glenfield Hospital provide. This procedure is Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation ECMO. During this there were some complication and they were told again expect the worse. He made it through the night critical but stable.

 ECMO is an invasive life support technique which can be used to take over the function of the lungs or heart for a period of time to give them a chance to recover. Without this machine and the wonderful team there, my nephew would not be here today. 

 Jacob is still in Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Glenfield Hospital Leicester and remains critical but wow this little fighter is not given up. His journey has been very traumatic but he has made lots of positive steps in the right direction and we are hoping that each day he makes more progress.

 My brother and sister in law are amazing and strong, so proud of them. They are trying so hard to keep positive especially as they have my wonderful 4 year old niece as well as our miracle baby Jacob. 

 The team in PICU are outstanding and they support the parents, siblings and relatives as well as their patient.  I have witnessed first-hand this amazing unit, nurses, consultants, doctors and this machine. The equipment cost and the running of it for 6 days is around £30,000 plus (this is not the exact figure).

 ECMO is now financed by the NHS but was originally financed by heart link. I have set up this page to raise money for Heart link charity that support the research, teaching, plus purchasing any new equipment that is needed to ensure that the highest and most modern standard of care is given at all times to patients requiring ECMO treatment.

 Please help me raise some money towards this charity and unit that is now so close to our hearts.