In this blog, Zephyr’s parents Phil and Poppy share their family’s journey from an AVSD diagnosis at the 20‑week scan through premature birth, hospital stays and surgery, to getting Zephyr ready to head home.
He also reflects on the practical support Children’s Heart Surgery Fund provided along the way, from time on the ward to help for the whole family.
“We found out about Zephyr’s Atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) at our 20 week scan.
“We didn’t truly know how to process for the diagnosis, but we knew from day one that we weren’t going to let it stop us raising the most awesome little man possible.
“Zephyr was born 7 weeks early and spent 5 weeks in neonatal care. We had him at home with us for around a month and a half before we had to take him to hospital due to some respiratory issues.
“Fast forward 5 months, two separate long hospital stays, one pulmonary artery band surgery and taking things slow and steady with recovery – we are finally ready to get Zephyr home to his eagerly awaiting big sister, Aurora.
“Zephyr still needs his full AVSD fix but we could not have gotten through our journey without Children’s Heart Surgery Fund!
“CHSF have helped in more ways than they will ever know – from travel grants, Tesco vouchers, Cardiac Cafés, Wellbeing trollies on the ward, funded family activities and Zephyr’s Katie Bear – to just general weekly check-ins and catch ups from Sarah and the Family Support team.
“A special thank you to Sarah for always making sure we had everything we needed, nothing was ever too big or too small to ask.”
Your donation helps us continue providing practical, family‑focused support to babies like Zephyr and their loved ones throughout treatment and recovery.
Please help us continue to support more families who need us.
Congrats Carin Van Doorn OBE
We are delighted to congratulate Carin van Doorn on receiving her OBE from His Majesty The King at Windsor Castle earlier this month. The award recognises Carin's outstanding services to Children's Heart Surgery and Charity during a remarkable career dedicated to...
UK first for Leeds Congenital Echo Team
We're delighted to share some incredible news from the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit Echo department. The Congenital Echo Department at Leeds General Infirmary has become the first congenital department in the UK to achieve Departmental Accreditation from the British...
Support for families: June 2026
"When your child is having open heart surgery in hospital, it is so frightening and worrisome we were just so glad that we had this charity to support us and other families who went through the same thing without your support."-- heart mumDuring the month of June......