Watch our full 2024 Christmas appeal video here.

Thanks to your amazing fundraising, Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) are able to purchase INR home testing kits for heart patients of all ages.

The Leeds Warfarin Clinic ran an anonymous survey earlier this year to get feedback on INR machines amongst young patients and their families.

Here’s 5 good reasons why our patients really need INR machines…

REASSURANCE

“If I’m at all concerned about my child’s health, I can quickly do a test at home and then notify the clinic or hospital immediately if the INR result is abnormal – which is hugely reassuring.

“Plus, this must be a great benefit to valuable surgery/hospital time too, if able to do this at home?”

NO MORE MISSED SCHOOL

“We are reliant on public transport as neither my husband or I drive.

“If we did not have a home testing kit our daughter would miss out on a lot of school as it take quite a long time to travel to and from our local hospital within their warfarin clinic times.”

HELPS NORMALISE BLOOD TESTS

“We’ve had a home testing kit for something like 7 years. It allows us to test in a friendly environment with no pressures where any fears can be dispelled.

“It is not at all stressful and my child now accepts it as readily as having their nails cut.”

SIMPLIFICATION

“It just makes everything easier if you can test at home. Knowing you can get an INR that’s up to date makes managing the dosage a lot easier.”

SAVES TRAVEL TIME

“Saves travelling to a hospital 35 miles away for bloods.”

Over recent years CHSF have provided hundreds of INR machines to patients with congenital heart disease, and their families and we would like to continue funding more INR machines for our patients and families with your help!

Please visit our JustGiving page and help grant this Christmas wish. Thank you!

Watch our full Christmas Wishes Appeal video, featuring lots of familiar faces – including staff, patients and families! Thanks to everyone who got involved!

Stay Another Day: The Hemingway Family

Stay Another Day: The Hemingway Family

Helen was born in 1989 with a congenital heart defect. She lived in Hull with her mum, dad and sister, but would need heart surgery at Killingbeck Hospital in Leeds (over 60 miles away) to save her life. Heart mum Lesley sent us an amazing story about her daughter...

Stay Another Day: Harry’s Story

Stay Another Day: Harry’s Story

Heart hero Harry had life-saving open heart surgery at Leeds, in October this year. From Harrogate, mum Shawney tells us a bit more about the brilliant work of the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit and how their family were looked after in CHSF-funded accommodation while...

Christmas Lights Switch On at the Children’s Hospital

Christmas Lights Switch On at the Children’s Hospital

On Monday afternoon, patients, families, and staff gathered at the main entrance to Leeds Children’s Hospital to celebrate the start of the festive season with the switching on of the Christmas lights. The beautiful stars and snowflakes were switched on by former Blue...