Cerys, was born on 25th May, 2009 with Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). HLHS means Cerys was born with half a working heart. She was diagnosed at my 20 week scan, within 24 hours we were treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Without surgery, HLHS is fatal, usually within the first few weeks of life.

The diagnosis was the biggest shock of my life. I’d never even heard of it, let alone thought there was even a possibility this would ever happen to us. Cerys had her first surgery at three days old and we spent almost four months in the hospital before discharge. Her second open heart surgery was at six weeks old, early because she become critically ill, then she developed heart failure, and had her third emergency open heart surgery on her third birthday. Cerys has had surgery every year of her life since she was born, 11 all together!!

Cerys has changed our lives for the better and touched so many people with her zest for life, especially enjoying her time at Potton Lower School! She is off to Middle school in September when we do this challenge.

Our life is busy with GOSH and being under many departments there, we have lots of visits. We thank all the staff that work there that do amazing things from the bottom of our heart.

Cerys has a team of supporters that over the years have been involved in lots of different challenges to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity. Over the last nine years we have raised over £35,000. We want to try and raise as much awareness and money as we possibly can to help other children and families like ourselves. GOSH have now set us up a Team GOSH Fund so we can manage our fundraising events and challenges.

Sarah - Cerys's story!
2018

The name Cerys is a Welsh baby name. In Welsh the meaning of the name Cerys is: Love.