Project
MRI Bike
Supporting adult heart patients for life.
Project
MRI Bike
Supporting adult heart patients for life.
What is the MRI Bike?
With your help, Children’s Heart Surgery Fund can purchase an MRI Bike for the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit. This revolutionary equipment will be used:
• In cutting-edge research as well as clinical treatment of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD).
• As the first of its kind in the UK to undertake research with advanced imaging techniques looking at how the heart functions during exercise.
The bike attaches to an MRI machine, and provides additional diagnostic information which can prove both life-changing and life-saving for the thousands of teenage and adult patients in our region with CHD.
Why is the MRI Bike needed?
Why is the MRI Bike needed?
IMPROVED CARE
Early changes in the heart noted during MRI exercise bike scans will result in patients being treated earlier and patients’ hearts will work well for longer.
INNOVATIVE RESEARCH
Clinicians will be able to conduct new research about the hearts of patients with congenital heart disease during exercise, using groundbreaking techniques.
TACKLING OBESITY
Scans will show patients the positive effects that weight loss has on the heart. This information can reduce anxiety around exercise and be a powerful motivator to become more active.
CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
Research findings will be shared, with the potential to influence practice in the UK and internationally. Use of the MRI bike will enhance the reputation of Leeds Congenital Heart Unit as a centre of excellence.
From the expert…
“MRI under exercise is a new way to image the heart and blood vessels, providing vital additional information about the heart.
It has many extra advantages over current imaging methods, allowing us to produce more comprehensive assessments of how well the heart works.
Building a exercise MRI service will allow us to undertake important work gathering detailed assessments of the heart during exercise. Ultimately, helping to save lives and improve outcomes for patients with heart defects, now and in the future.“
Dr Malenka Bissell Clinical Lecturer in Paediatric Cardiology
From heart patient Stephen…
Stephen’s congenital heart disease was only diagnosed after he suffered a cardiac arrest during a routine training run. Paramedics had to shock his heart several times with a defibrillator, and he required both open heart surgery and three weeks recovery at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit. Stephen says:
“My congenital heart disease was only discovered by chance as a result of a cardiac arrest, so anything that can be done to detect serious anomalies at a much earlier stage is really important to me.”
You can read more about Stephen’s amazing story here.
Watch the MRI Bike in action…
DID YOU KNOW?
There are more adults living with CHD now than children.
Numbers will keep growing as survival through childhood improves.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
By making a donation towards the MRI Bike you will be helping CHD patients now and for years to come.
Give today and make a difference
Get active and use your pedal power to fund our MRI Bike. Join in with our Cycle For CHSF challenge this summer. Find out more…
Thank you.
For Corporate supporters
Contact Caitlin to discuss how your business or place of work can
support CHSF and help to make this project a reality.
caitlin.hazell@chsf.org.uk | 0113 831 4810
For Trusts & Foundations
Contact Evelyn to discuss how your Trust or grant-making organisation can
support CHSF and help to make this project a reality.
evelyn.hazzard@chsf.org.uk | 0113 831 4810
Cost of the equipment: The MRI Bike costs a total of £58,000. We are confident we will raise the majority of funds to buy the MRI Bike from businesses and grant-making trusts and foundations. We invite community supporters to fund the final £5,000 that will enable us to achieve the goal of purchasing this revolutionary equipment. Any funds raised over the £5,000 target on our JustGiving page will be used for other life-saving CHSF projects.