“The time in hospital was a very scary time and the resources that CHSF provide are invaluable.
“CHSF is an amazing resource for children with congenital heart disease and their families!”
Mum Sarah, from Grimsby, said:
“Our local hospital discovered Rowan had a Ventricular septal defect (VSD) at birth before we went home, but we were told it would likely close on its own.
“He was then diagnosed with a condition called Pyloric stenosis, and at nine weeks old was rushed to Sheffield Children’s – needing surgery on his stomach. Before the operation could happen, the anaesthetist needed to review his heart echo (echocardiogram), however our local hospital seemed to have lost the images/report.
“Sheffield decided it would be quicker to carry out their own echo. In doing so, they found that Rowan’s VSD was more complex than was originally discovered, meaning we had to wait for a paediatric cardiologist to come over from Leeds Congenital Heart Unit as that was our local specialist heart centre.
“The Cardiologist that came from Leeds was brilliant. We were unsure as to whether he would have to be transferred to the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit for cardiac surgery, as well as the surgery on his stomach, but after speaking with the cardiologist, we were reassured that it was safe for Rowan to have his surgery in Sheffield, and he did not need immediate surgery on his heart.
“From this point on, Leeds kept a close eye on Rowan’s condition – making sure he was always seen in the joint clinics when they visited our local hospital. For years his condition did not change, however when he was about six, they discovered a change and this then meant he needed surgery to repair the hole in his heart.
“This was done in September 2025, when Rowan was seven years old. The Leeds Congenital Heart Unit was absolutely brilliant from start to finish. The children’s heart ward (Ward L51) was amazing, and the support from CHSF made the whole experience so much easier to handle as parents of a heart warrior.
“The time in hospital was a very scary time and the resources that CHSF provide are invaluable. Parent accommodation was the most important, so we had somewhere to sleep whilst Rowan was in PICU and HDU.
“Getting a Katie Bear teddy, medal and certificate afterwards was something Rowan really cherished and is very proud of.
“Feeling part of a community after the surgery as well is something that I’m grateful for and never expected.
“Rowan still has a leak in his tricuspid valve, and may need more surgery in the future, but hopefully it will be many years before he does. We are forever grateful to Leeds for making sure Rowan was given the correct care!
“CHSF is an amazing resource for children with congenital heart disease and their families!”
Wear red in Feb for the thousands of children in our region like Rowan!
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!
Donate online to our Wear Red Day 2026 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)
Spread the word: Tell your friends, family, school or business all about our campaign – and how easy it is to sign up! Thank you.
Freddie
Last year, Freddie was the first child in the UK to undergo the innovative Yasui repair instead of the Fontan. Freddie was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and a large VSD and since 2016 had already overcome multiple heart surgeries. Mum Casey shares...
Sally
Sally's heart defect wasn't identified until after she was born and had open heart surgery at 18 days to correct her CHD. Doctors at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit stated that without this operation, Sally wouldn't live past 6 months old. Now 21, Sally has already...
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...