Finley Kenneth Peirson was born in July 2022 and was rushed straight to Scarborough’s Special Care Baby Unit with a suspected infection. Over the weeks that followed, Finley deteriorated and was put into an incubator.
One of the doctors detected a heart murmur and this was confirmed by one of the cardiologists. Finley and his parents were immediately blue-lighted to the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit (LCHU).
Finley was diagnosed with Supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (TAPVD) and required open heart surgery as soon as possible – his parents were told it would take place within days. Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) supported Finley’s family throughout the 11 days that Finley was at the LCHU, even providing Finley’s mummy and daddy with accommodation within the hospital.
Mum Tamra said: “It was a godsend as I’d only had surgery myself, just days before and I was in a wheelchair and couldn’t walk, let alone drive and travel to and from Malton. As first-time parents, we never imagined anything like this to happen when thinking about having our baby boy.
“We owe so many people a massive thanks, especially Carin Van Doorn and her team for accomplishing the operation and saving our baby boy’s life. Multiple members of staff from all the CHSF wards looked after Finley for the 11 days he was in Leeds.”
“Wear Red Day is a very special day for us as a family, as it is to many other heart families. It gives us a special day to embrace what we’ve been through and to remind people they are not alone. Heart conditions are more common than most realise with 13 babies being diagnosed with a CHD every day – which means we should understand and learn about them. This day is about showing our heart warriors they should not hide their scars – they are part of who they are and they should celebrate that.
“Children’s Heart Surgery Fund gives us families a centre hub to connect with one another and support one another. Without CHSF raising funds and supporting the children’s cardiology department, we wouldn’t have vital equipment for our poorly children to help them survive.
“So please support them by raising as much money as possible so future poorly children can also thrive just like our little man Finley does now, today.”
Wear red in Feb for the thousands of children in our region like Finley!
Sign up to take part in Wear Red Day this February to raise vital awareness of congenital heart disease, and life-saving funds for CHSF!
Unable to do your own Wear Red event this month?
Donate online to our Wear Red Day 2025 Justgiving page
Donate by text: Text CHSFWRD (plus any amount up to 20) to 70085
(e.g. To give £5 text: CHSFWRD 5 to 70085)
[Texts cost the chosen donation amount plus one standard network rate message]
Jacob
Born at home in Kippax Leeds, Jacob's heart defect was detected in his first week of life after being admitted to Leeds Children's Hospital when he wasn't feeding well...Jacob's mum, Iona, said: "Jacob was born at home; everything was amazing and there was no sign...
Daisy
Daisy's mum, Lucinda, said: "Our experience with congenital heart disease began at our 20 week scan. Having previously had a history of problems, we were told that baby would be checked very carefully. Upon her silence we immediately knew the sonographer had found...
Rebecca
Although Rebecca was born with the heart murmur, it wasn't until she was pregnant with her second child that her heart problems became more apparent...Rebecca said: "From birth I have had a heart condition. I was born with a heart murmur and was under the care of...