OUR STORY: Emilie Rose Dalglish was born in Harrogate on 3rd August 2015, delivered by emergency c-section 3 weeks before her due date. Although presenting well on delivery, Emilie's health went downhill rapidly and she was moved into the Special Care Baby Unit where the consultants could review and monitor her condition. She required immediate breathing assistance and it quickly became clear that the level of support she needed surpassed that available in Harrogate. Emilie was transferred to the Neonatal Unit at Leeds General Infirmary that evening where she resided for the following 5 weeks. Due to the complexity of her many symptoms, the doctors in ICU struggled to determine an overall diagnosis that was causing Emilie to be so unwell, so the initial days and weeks were simply spent firefighting episodes of decline, and maintaining her stability rather than being able to proactively treat her. 

Emilie had every available test that the consultants had in their arsenal in an attempt to identify some answers. She was seen by cardiology, renal, liver, genetic, metabolic and haematology specialists in the LGI, and also consulted on by a wider team of neonatal specialists up and down the country. As well as all these tests, scans and diagnostic procedures, Emilie successfully underwent a heart operation to resolve a critical aortic stenosis, yet still her overall condition remained a mystery to all.  

Whilst Emilie was in ICU, we got to know the majority of the Consultants, Registrars, Doctors, Nurses, Sisters, and Pharmacists on the Unit. Not only did they care for Emilie, but they supported us continuously during our very turbulent journey, from the very beginning to the devastating end. The level of care, skill and dedication of the staff was simply inspirational. What they do isn’t a job but rather a vocation, and words cannot explain how thankful we are to each end every individual that looked after Emilie, and made her short life so filled with love and affection. She couldn’t have received more specialist care, and the efforts and resolve of the consultants in the Neonatal Unit never wavered or faltered, even at the bitter end.

Our beautiful girl sadly lost her remarkable fight and passed away peacefully in our arms on 11th September. In her memory, we would like to raise money for this incredible Unit, without which Emilie wouldn't have had the fighting chance she was given, and wouldn't have given us the precious weeks we had with her. Even the smallest donation will help so please give whatever you can. It can't bring our baby girl back, but it will provide us with comfort knowing that we are helping other poorly babies who sadly have to embark upon a similar journey. 

Our gorgeous little girl has left a huge void in our hearts which will never be restored, but she’s now being cared for by another set of angels. Eternally loved, so fondly remembered and forever missed. X

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED: The money raised will be used to fund the following items, which the Neonatal Unit are currently in great need of:

• Philips Central Monitoring System
  
• Masimo Radical-7 oxygen saturation monitors
  
• MIRIS Human breast milk analyser
  
• Trans-illuminator lamp
  
• Freestanding spotlight for clinical procedures
  

ABOUT THE UNIT: Leeds Neonatal Service is one of the largest neonatal services in the UK. They care for around 1800 babies each year, many of which require intensive care or surgery. They look after babies born too poorly or too soon from the whole of the Yorkshire Neonatal network and beyond. Being a tertiary unit, they are one of the few who are able to care for babies from 24 weeks gestation and for those babies requiring longer term intensive care.