The awesome team at Enterprise Mobility all got behind their colleague Francesca this February to celebrate Wear Red Day.
Francesca’s son Luca was born with congenital heart defects and needed life-saving open heart surgery at just one week old.
Francesca said:
“We found out that something wasn’t quite right when we attended our 12 week scan.
“After an appointment with the fetal medicine and congenital cardiology teams at LGI, we were told that our baby had a ventricular septal defect and coarctation of the aorta and would need open heart surgery shortly after birth.
“When Luca was born, he was taken straight to the neonatal ward at Leeds Children’s Hospital where he was put on medication and monitored closely. He was there diagnosed with a Hypoplastic aortic arch, multiple VSDs and atrial septal defects. At one week old, Luca underwent open heart surgery.
“After eight agonising hours, we received a phone call to say that the surgery had gone well, they had managed to close Luca’s chest. This was amazing news as we were told to plan for it still being open and him needing a second surgery to close it after the swelling of his heart had gone down.
“We were also informed to prepare ourselves to see him for the first time, as he was still on a ventilator and connected to multiple machines. I just remember seeing him and being so grateful that he was still alive.
“Luca spent the following 10 days on PICU, where he had ups and downs.
“He was extubated 2 days post-surgery but was struggling to breath on his own, so he was put on a BiPap machine to help.
What is a BiPap mechine? If you have trouble breathing, a BiPap machine can help push air into your lungs.
“He then moved to the high dependency unit for two nights and finally onto the children’s cardiac ward (L51) where we were able to sleep by his side for the first time since he was born.
“Our little heart warrior also had to have a keyhole procedure in November 2024. He is such a happy boy and thriving, we cannot thank the staff at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit and CHSF enough for saving our boy!”
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Luca’s Story
When Luca was born, mum Emma and dad Michael discovered Luca had a very loud heart murmur. The day after, they were transferred from Jimmy’s to the Leeds Children’s Hospital for a heart scan. It was then when they received the congenital heart disease (CHD) diagnosis...
Running for a Reason: Louise
Bradford-based adult patient Louise McCormick received open heart surgery aged 7 at Killingbeck Hospital. Now 41, Louise celebrated her 40th year by completing an enviable set of running fundraisers for CHSF in 2024. She isn’t taking her foot of the pedal this year...
Alfie’s Story
17-year old Alfie’s family found out he had congenital heart disease (CHD) when he was just 2 months old. Following multiple procedures, Alfie is now enjoying life both as a teenager and keen LUFC supporter, as mum Kirsty tells us: “Alfie was only 7 weeks old when we...