Physical Health United Kingdom Project #30686

Providing life-saving machines for heart babies

by Tiny Tickers

Providing life-saving machines for heart babies

Project Report | Jan 26, 2023
Thank you for your support

By Katie Lawson | Head of Fundraising & Comms

In memory of Tommy

This month we have been taking time to remember little Tommy - his legacy is helping babies and families up and down the country to benefit from the test that could save their life.

Tommy, was one of the 1000 newborn babies who leaves hospital every year with their heart defects undetected. Tommy tragically passed away at 11 days old and we have dedicated our pulse oximetry campaigning to his memory. Mum, Natasha says: “We now know that Tommy had a congenital heart defect that could be corrected with surgery. If only his condition had been detected, he could be alive today.”

Your support has helped us to placed 453 pulse oximetry machines in memory of little Tommy across the UK, including 72 in Scotland, 41 in the North West of England and 46 in Yorkshire. Those machines will undoubtedly save lives. Not every newborn with heart problems is born displaying symptoms, and these machines will mean fewer babies will leave hospital with undetected – and potentially life-threatening – defects.

When Tommy was born, nobody was aware that he had a serious heart defect. His parents knew something wasn't right, but despite voicing their concerns a number of times. Had Tommy's heart condition, transposition of the great arteries (TGA), been detected during Natasha's pregnancy or before he was discharged from hospital, he could have had surgery - surgery that has a 99% success rate.

Natasha and Andy have worked tirelessly to ensure no other parent faces a loss like theirs. With their support, we launched our Test for Tommy campaign in 2018. Named in memory of Tommy, through the campaign we aim to place pulse oximetry machines in all UK maternity units - so every baby gets the test that could help save their life.

Thank you for supporting us, and helping to remember Tommy.

Jon, Aimee, Gaynor, Katie, Carly, Kym, Nicola, Vicky and Anne

Team Tiny Tickers

E: fundraising@tinytickers.org

Test for Tommy - help every tiny ticker

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