21-year-old Danny Hirst was born with a hole in his heart, which was discovered when he was just 6 weeks old. Danny had open heart surgery in Leeds when he was 11.
And he is set to take on the Great North Run to raise vital funds for the charity which helped him and his family when they needed it most.
Danny, from Normanton, says:
“People should donate to my fundraiser as Children’s Heart Surgery Fund is such an amazing charity – all of their money will go to a great cause.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help from them. The training regime has been intense but extremely fun.
“I feel like I am the fittest I have been in a long time and I am ready to smash the race on Sunday!”
Further investigations following his first surgery revealed his aortic valve wasn’t coping with the new pressures in his heart and the decision was made to replace the valve.
In 2016, just 15 months after his first operation, Danny had a mechanical valve fitted. It was during this time that Danny’s family became more aware of Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF).
Around 1 in 125 babies are born globally with congenital heart disease (CHD), and CHSF provide life-saving medical equipment for the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit, plus emotional, practical and financial support for families.
“CHSF have helped me in so many amazing ways that I have always wanted to give back to them.
“They provided my parents with accommodation whilst I was in hospital after my surgery and I saw stickers on much of the medical equipment in both PICU and on Ward L51 funded by the charity.
“Because of the support they’ve given me I want to be able to raise as much money as I possibly can for them so they can continue supporting other families like mine.”
Due to his mechanical valve, Danny is on the blood thinning medicine Warfarin for life which means regular blood tests to ensure he takes the right dose. But CHSF’s support for patients and families doesn’t end in hospital, and they gave him a vital piece of equipment so he can test his blood at home.
“I am currently having check-ups at the LGI every 12-18 months with a doctor. I am currently taking warfarin and test my blood every 3-5 weeks.
“But CHSF gave me an ‘INR home testing kit’ which means that I don’t have to make the trip to the hospital every few weeks to get my blood taken.
“This has literally been a life saver for me.”
Danny has been an amazing advocate of CHSF over the years. He appeared in many CHSF videos as a teenager to raise awareness, joined our Superhero Walk dressed as a surgeon, abseiled down Wakefield Cathedral for the charity last year and is now running the Great North Run.
“I haven’t let having CHD stop me from doing anything in life. After time has passed since my operation, I barely think about living with CHD as thanks to everything CHSF and the LGI have done I can live a completely normal life without the need to constantly worry.”
To sponsor Danny and help CHSF, simply visit his fundraising page
Fundraiser of the Month: Lil Louie Big Heart
Jess and Callum, parents to heart warrior Louie, organised a Family Fun Day in August this year August. To raise even more funds for CHSF, friends decided to also incorporate a sponsored bike ride too!Jess told us a bit more about Louie’s story and how it inspired...
Because of Carin: Billy
As part of our Because of Carin campaign, celebrating the incredible career of Carin van Doorn, Billy’s family share their memories of her support. Carin performed two life-saving heart surgeries on Billy - and their words show just how much her care and dedication...
Because of Carin: Seth
Heart mum Charlotte found out at her 20-week scan that her little boy Seth had Transposition of the Great Arteries. Charlotte told us about Seth’s journey through treatment at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit and how he is faring back home in Chesterfield.written by...