Rory was born with complex heart conditions on Friday 18th January 2019. He was transferred from Sunderland Royal Hospital to Freeman Hospital for life saving surgery. Rory was born small weighing only 5lb 3oz and they needed him to grow so he had a greater chance of survival.  He was kept alive in HDU on medication for two weeks. 

On the 1st of February 2019 he had open heart surgery to correct the narrowing of his aorta (main artery) and insert a pulmonary band as Rory has a large hole between his bottom chambers of his heart. The band was inserted to help reduce blood flow to his lungs so they did not flood. He has had other issues with his heart but they seem to be stable for the time being. The band seems to be doing its job and the hope is that in time the hole will eventually close. If this isn't the case Rory will undergo further surgery in the near future. 

We are first time parents and have had a very upsetting journey so far but our little tiny baby is a big fighter and makes us proud every day. Rory lived in hospital for the first 4 weeks of his life and we stayed in Scott's House which was kindly funded by The Sick Childrens Trust. Since then Rory has spent another 5 days in Sunderland Hospital in November 2019 due to his heart medication. We would like to give back as much as we possibly can to the Children's Heart Unit Fund because if it wasn't for this amazing charity Rory probably wouldn't be with us today.

CHUF's mission is to make life better for children and young people who are born with or who develop heart conditions by providing lifelong support to them and their families. CHUF supports children and families who receive treatment at the Children’s Heart Unit based at the Freeman Hospital and the many other hospitals providing care for cardiac patients throughout the North of England.