Amidst a challenging year for so many, Children’s Heart Surgery Fund have continued to be there for heart warriors, their families and our incredible heart unit – and that is all thanks to you.
Here is just a snapshot of what we were able to fund in 2020, because of your amazing support this year…
CARE FOR THE HEART
BABY LEO INCUBATOR
Premature CHD warriors stay on the neonatal intensive care unit until they have gained enough weight to have the best chance for a successful heart surgery.
This year we were able to fund a new, high-tech incubator for the NICU ward. Read more about the Baby Leo incubator
KARDIA MOBILE DEVICES
102 ECG devices allowing adults and children CHD to monitor their ECG by themselves at home using their mobile phone.
The results are then emailed to the hospital directly, eliminating disruption to school and work.
BABY MRI COIL
The coil for the MRI scanner enables babies to be more comfortable during their MRI scan.
The coil also has ‘cameras’ built into the front and back panels. This piece of equipment leads to improved image quality and diagnostic value during baby MRI scans. Watch MRI Coil video
INR HOME-TESTING KITS
Many heart warriors have to come to hospital for regular blood tests. This year you’ve helped us fund 42 INR blood testing kits to allow CHD patients to check their blood at home!
CARE FOR THE MIND
SNACKS & DRINKS FOR NHS STAFF
Our amazing NHS have not only kept us safe through the pandemic, but they have also continued to give exceptional care to our heart warriors.
#BecauseofYou we were able to offer NHS staff refreshments during long shifts in the hospital.
VIRTUAL WELLBEING SESSIONS
We have teamed up with Halsa Wellbeing to offer our heart families online wellbeing and relaxation sessions.
Sessions range from self-massage and Yoga to talking therapies and how to deal with stress. Interested? Email here
FISH TANK FOR WARD L51
A firm favourite with our heart warriors staying on Ward L51. Thanks to your donations we have been able to fund the running of the ward fish tank for another year.
Many children use the tank as a goal to walk towards while recovering from surgery.
TEEN SUPPORT BOOK
We are excited to announce our new support book for teen heart warriors. This book will be given to teens before heart surgery at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit.
A big thank you to all the teen heart warriors who helped write this book. Watch this space for it’s release!
CARE FOR THE FAMILY
FAMILY SUPPORT GRANTS
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we knew that it was more important than ever to continue giving our support grants to families staying on the heart unit who need them.
We have given £12,850 in family grants in 2020 #becauseofyou
ECKERSLEY HOUSE
In 2020 we have given £45,000 to vital home-from-home Eckersley House.
Eckersley House looks after so many of our heart families by giving them somewhere to stay just minutes from hospital.
FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER
We are delighted to welcome Sarah Cherry to the CHSF team as Family Support Worker.
Sarah will support our heart families to access services, provide practical support to families whilst being treated and will set up, promote and deliver activities for our families. Read more here…
CARE FOR THE FUTURE
SONOGRAPHER TRAINING
Because of you we have been able to fund expert training for sonographers throughout our region.
This training was fully sponsored by CHSF in 2020, but will be facilitated by our charity partners at Tiny Tickers in early 2021. Watch this space for more details.
And that’s not all…
You can read more about the life-saving projects you have helped to fund this year in our Social Impact Report 2019/20.
It is packed full of patient stories, news from the hospital and how your donations are making a difference across the heart service and our region.
So grab yourself a cuppa and read all about what you have made happen this year…
You can help keep supporting hearts for life by making a donation to CHSF
