I am setting up this fund-raising page to continue the research of a London-based respiratory consultant who helped save my life from Covid 19. She is dedicated to continuing her research to better understand the disease and to help save the lives of others but needs additional funds to do so.

On March 16th, early on in the UK pandemic, I had to self-isolate due to Covid 19 symptoms. I had been exposed during my work as a dentist. In the subsequent days, I battled high fever, violent coughing and extreme breathlessness. With the help of a core group of family and friends, particularly Dr Rama Vancheeswaran, a respiratory consultant from Watford General Hospital, I was guided through a course of treatment to help me fight this deadly virus. She outlined a treatment plan based on her intensive reading of clinical papers from China, France and other countries where the virus had already had a devastating effect. She had a clear plan of action to assist me with my breathing, drop in oxygen saturation and to fight the viral and secondary bacterial infection in my body. Every day, through some dark and sleepless nights, I would wait for her 7:30 am virtual consultation. These calls were the highlight of my mornings and her encouraging and reassuring approach gave me the confidence and strength to keep battling on. Having spent 18 days struggling to alleviate fevers and severe breathlessness, I finally turned a corner and my prayers were answered.

There are not enough words to express my gratitude to all the people who have helped me through this life changing experience, particularly the outstanding clinicians, and especially Rama. There is no doubt they saved my life. I feel that raising money for Dr Vancheeswaran and her team of research colleagues (Chest Clinic Group from West Hertfordshire) is the least I can do to repay her and I hope it will help others to battle this terrible disease like I did.

With the funding, the research team intends to:

1) evaluate early diagnostic testing

2) assess psychological well-being of healthcare workers who continue to be exposed to the virus but unable to access diagnostic swabs

3) assess antibody status of patients treated at home

4) assess proning (laying patient on their stomach) on oxygenation and recovery

5) assess use of various treatment protocols in patients who attend virtual hospitals

6) assess demographics, clinical features, laboratory tests and outcomes in various ethnic groups

7) assess physiological and radiological features and outcomes of Covid 19 patients

This research by experienced front-line clinicians is essential to gather and understand the evidence regarding the effects and treatment of Covid 19. There is little collated and analysed data to go on and any ethically approved information sources are vital to ensuring shared learning on the clinical management of this virus to help save all our lives.

Many thanks for your kind donation. All the money raised will be used directly by the hospital team and greatly appreciated for a cause that is very close to my heart.