Marianne's Story

I am running to raise money for Glasgow Childrens Hospital charity because they do so much for children in their hour of need

My daughter is approaching her 3rd birthday and she lives with severe Congenital Heart Disease

She was born 5 weeks premature via emergency c section due to reduced movement, and within minutes of being born it was clear something was wrong. She wasnt a healthy pink colour, she was a dusky grey. She was whisked off to SCBU (Special Care Baby Unit) and assessed. A few hours later a Doctor came and said they suspected there was something wrong with her heart, and they wanted to transfer her to Glasgow, as they were the Cardiac Specialist centre for Scotland.

She was transferred by Emergency Helicopter and I could not go with her, having just had major surgery it was deemed too risky for me. Lying in my hospital bed, unable to move, and listening to that helicopter taking off was agonising. I lay there sobbing and sobbing and sobbing, my baby, who I had not yet held, was being taken away from me

I was transferred to join her the next day by ambulance, and it was horrific. I felt every bump in the road, but I can not fault the paramedics, they were amazing with me

Aria spent 8 weeks in Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow following her birth, she was diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease, Ventricular Septal Defect (hole in the heart), Pulmonary Atresia (underdeveloped pulmonary artery) & Major Aortopulmonary Collateral Arteries ( her aorta grew extra bits connected to her lungs to try and allow more oxygen to circulate her tiny body)

She has since had 2 heart surgeries, the 1st was to insert a shunt into her Pulmonary Artery in the hopes of encouraging it to grow, the 2nd was a major surgery lasting over 18 hours

She still needs more surgery and will be fighting this all her life

Whilst we are there, the Glasgow Childrens Hospital charity has provided much needed comfort and support for all the children in the hospital, they provide staff to play with them(when Mum & Dad need a rest), toys, entertainment, a cinema, all manner of things to take their minds off what they are going through

As such, I have decided to run the Loch Ness Marathon to try to raise £2500. Much needed funds for the charity, as they are needed 365 days a year by many, many families

The funds will go to help NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), PICU (Paediatric Intensive Care Unit), & Ware 1E (Children's Cardiac Ward)

Many thanks for your support, every donation, no matter how big or small really does make a huge difference

Thank you xxx

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