Cardiomyopathy UK: a charity that means a lot to us
Team Pratt is raising money for Cardiomyopathy UK
Team: Team Pratt
Story
In 2003 our niece aged only 8 weeks old was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). This is a heart condition which causes the heart chambers to become enlarged (dilated) and affects the hearts ability to pump.
Treatment for DCM aims to control symptoms and reduce complications, and the condition itself may improve with treatment. However, ongoing monitoring of treatment and symptoms is important.
Treatment may include lifestyle management, medication and surgery.
In those early days and since; Cardiomyopathy UK have advised and supported our family. In 2011 Carl ran the Great North Run to raise money for this wonderful Charity.
Then in 2017 our then 9 month old son Charlie fell ill and was also diagnosed with DCM. Following 4 nights in ICU at Alder Hey Children's hospital Charlie was transferred to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. Very quickly it became clear his condition was so severe that he would require a heart transplant.
Since Charlie's diagnosis, other members of the family have also been diagnosed with DCM including his Mum, younger sister and uncle.
The support and advice that Cardiomyopathy UK have given us and will continue to give us over the coming years is so important to us as a family and as this is where our journey began feel that this is such a deserving cause.