“After 7 weeks in hospital, we are finally home with our little girl – Honey.
“Honey has been through more in her first 7 weeks of life than most of us will in a lifetime.
“Born with a heart defect – coarctated aorta – she’s battled a chest infection, a stomach infection, and a 6-hour open heart surgery to repair her heart.
Coarctation of the aorta means part of the main artery in the body is narrower than it should be. The narrowing stops blood from flowing as easily as it should, so the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the body. This can cause the left ventricle (one of your heart’s main pumping chambers) to become thicker and your heart to become weaker.
“Through it all she has shown a strength that we can only describe as incredible. She will have a scar, but that scar will always be a testament to her bravery and how hard she has fought from day one. We couldn’t be prouder of her.
“We want to publicly thank all of the amazing staff at Leeds Children’s Hospital who cared for her over the past 7 weeks. You truly are unbelievable at what you do. A special thank you to Dr Jaber, who performed the life-saving operation that has given her the chance to live a long and healthy life.
“We’re also so grateful to the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund for their support, and to our close friends and family who have helped us more than they probably realise during this time.
“Now we’re finally home, we can start being a normal family and focus on what really matters – making memories together.”
— Honey’s parents, Connor & Kate
Because of you, we can keep being there for heart heroes like Honey and their families.
By making a donation to CHSF you are ensuring vital funding to the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit and personalised support to families when they need us most.
Inflatable 5K for Mabel
Leah and Brad found out the 20 week scan that their daughter, Mabel, had Coarctation of the aorta, a large Ventricular septal defect (VSD) and a smaller left side of the heart. She had open heart surgery at five days old. Now Mabel's family are taking on the Leeds...
Kalina’s Heart Day
Because of the incredible work of the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit and because of your support, Kalina celebrated her first heartiversary on 3rd June this year. Happy Heart Day Kalina from all of us at Children's Heart Surgery Fund!Kalina's mum Karly-Kay said: "It’s...
100km for Matilda
Heart mum Danielle shares her experience of daughter Matilda’s heart condition – from diagnosis at 20 weeks to the time they spent at Leeds General Infirmary and once home. She’s now taking on a 100km Ultra Challenge to give something back to CHSF after the support...