Please join with us to raise money for the Great Western Hospital's Special Care Baby Unit. 

 

A place very close to our hearts.

Following a short stay in the Special Care Baby Unit of the Great Western Hospital last year, we have decided as a family to raise money for the unit in order to help them buy a new machine - a Bilirubinometer. 

A Bilirubinometer is a machine which determines the total bilirubin concentration in newborn infants. High levels of bilirubin manifest themselves as severe jaundice.

 

Baby Edward was born on 15 March 2010. He was placed in the care of SCBU at the Great Western Hospital due to his very high levels of bilirubin - a condition which was linked to his inheriting Spherocytosis. Light therapy and blood transfusions were necessary in his first few weeks of life in order to help him combat the condition.

 

Hereditary spherocytosis is an haemolytic anaemia characterised by the production of red blood cells that are sphere-shaped rather than bi-concave disk shaped (Donut-Shaped), and therefore more prone to haemolysis - the breaking down of the cells. 

 

In order to facilitate the checking of bilirubin levels without having to send each sample to the laboratory (a rather lengthy process which needs a much larger blood sampled, and is a more painful and difficult process for the babies) a Bilirubinometer situated in SCBU is used. We would like to be able to provide the Unit with a new, up to date machine, so that the results of these blood samples are accurate. 

 

Accurate measurement and monitoring of bilirubin levels is vital to prevent severe complications of jaundice / high bilirubin, the most severe of which is kernicterus - which can cause brain damage.  Having a reliable and quick machine situated in Special Care allows the Doctors and Nurses on the ward to adjust therapeutic interventions (like phototherapy, feeding support, and fluids) to make sure they manage the jaundice in the best possible way.  Without accurate and speedy bilirubin measurements, babies may stay under phototherapy for longer than necessary, and therefore have a prolonged stay on SCBU, which means more separation from their mother at a key mother-baby bonding time.  

Being able to simply, speedily, and accurately monitor when jaundice is resolving, allows the Special Care Baby Unit to get babies feeding, and back to the care of their mummy as soon as possible!

The countdown to May 29th has begun!

http://www.fundraisingforscbu.com/

On May 29th 2011, Edward's Auntie, Henrietta, along with Stephen Loftus, will be competing in the RNLI's annual Castle to Castle swim from Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, to St Mawes Castle, St Mawes, in Cornwall. This is a One Mile Open Water Swim offering a unique opportunity to cross this major estuary under controlled circumstances.

http://www.perranporthslsc.org.uk/?p=1151

On the same day, Edward's Auntie, Victoria, will be running, whilst Juliette, Jonnie and Edward walk, 10km cross country. Their route follows the coastal footpath from St Mawes to St Just in Roseland, before climbing up and over the peninsula, and returning along the harbour side, back to St Mawes Castle.

MORE UPDATES!

Gwen Dever, who lives in Aldbourne, intends to complete a 10km run at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival on May 21st - and has kindly asked that all donations go towards our fundraising initiative! Thank you so much for your generosity!

http://www.edinburgh-marathon.com/

Our story was published on the village website, and as a result, we were interviewed by a local journalist who wrote a fantastic article in the Marlborough Gazette and Herald. 

You can view the article here;

http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/8961401.Grateful_Aldbourne_parents_launch_appeal/

On April 17th 2011, our friend Nick Wilkinson completed the London Marathon in just over 4 and a half hours - a fabulous time given the weather was certainly warmer than expected! Congratulations, Nick - and many thanks to all those who sponsored him and his running shoes! 

http://www.virginlondonmarathon.com/ 

Nick took part in the London Marathon in preparation for the Courmayeur Champex Chamonix Challenge on August 26th 2011. A 62 mile race open to just 1800 competitors. 

http://www.ultratrailmb.com/page/21/Presentation.html

 

On August 11th, our friend Steven Smythe will be taking part in The National Three Peaks Challenge - this involves climbing some of the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales - Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon - within 24 hours.

http://www.thethreepeakschallenge.co.uk/

Please help to raise money for the Special Care Baby Unit at the Great Western Hospital!

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send you unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we are able to raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

 

So please dig deep and donate now.