During their 20 week scan, our best friends Christopher (aka Smiler) and Claire, were told that their little baby had a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and the prognosis at the time was unclear. Gradually, little Maisie’s organs were moving through the hernia and compressing her heart and lungs. Their pregnancy was monitored closely and when the gorgeous Maisie was born on the 14th of June 2022, she was looked after in the NICU at the RVI. Maisie required full breathing support and lots of medication and she had surgery at just 6 days old to close the hernia. 

Unfortunately, Maisie experienced infections and Sepsis and the family ended up spending 12 weeks in the NICU.  

Thankfully, The Sick Children’s Trust funds Crawford House on the grounds of the RVI. This allowed the family to remain together, no more than 5 minutes away from Maisie. This gave them a private space to rest and eat, knowing they were never far from their little lady who was fighting so hard to recover. The Sick Children’s Trust helped to relieve some of the anxiety of being too far away from their baby. 

Maisie made it home for Christmas and she’s doing amazing. Maisie currently has 80% of one lung and has 3 oxygen machines at home. In addition to this she suffers from Pulmonary Hypertension which can cause her breathing difficulties when she gets upset. The Sick Children’s Trust made the toughest time for our friends that little bit more bearable and we’ll be forever grateful for that. 

Please support me in running my first half marathon by donating to the Sick Children’s Trust.