CHUF is a charity that raises funds for the Children's Heart Unit at Freeman's Hospital, Newcastle. The Children’s Heart Unit provides Paediatric Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery including heart and lung transplantation & bridge to transplant. The children’s heart unit has made a positive impact on the lives of many patients from both the North East and throughout the UK and Ireland.

Rachel’s Story

In February 2012 the Freeman Hospital saved Rachel Hooley’s life by carrying out an emergency heart transplant. Thanks to the Freeman Hospitals children’s heart unit and the many amazing staff that continue to provide Rachel with vital treatment, she is able to lead a life her family thought may not be possible.

Although Rachel has to take vital anti-rejection medication for the rest of her life and undergo a weekly immunoglobulin Infusion, she remains brave and continues to live life to the full. Since Rachel’s heart transplant she has represented the Freeman Hospitals children’s team twice at the British transplant games, where in her first year she won the award for the best newly transplanted athlete. Earlier this year, Rachel represented the Great Britain transplant team at the World Winter Transplant Games, where she was the first British child in 18 years to win the infamous Nicholas Cup. The Nicholas Cup was founded in memory of Nicholas Green, a young American boy who was killed in Italy and whose family donated his organs for the benefit of others. More information about the Nicholas Green Foundation can be found at: www.nicholasgreen.org

Not only does Rachel’s story show first-hand the fantastic work carried out at the Freeman Hospitals children’s heart unit, it also highlights how the Organ Donor Register can save lives.

The C2C5 Challenge

This July I will take part in the C2C5 challenge organised by Seb4CHUF, which will see me and a team of other athletes cycle 75 miles on the first day, swim a mile across Derwent Water and ride 65 miles on the second day, cycle 75 miles to Close House Hotel in Northumberland on the third day, then run a full marathon into the sea at Tynemouth on the final day. The cycle ride alone takes on four of the toughest climbs in the UK, and two of them are in the top 10.

The Organ Donor Register

Rachel’s story highlights the importance of signing up to the Organ Donor Register. The Freeman Hospital have drugs and machines they can put in place until a donor heart is offered and fortunately in Rachel’s case, she didn’t need to go on to a Berlin Heart and she didn’t need to wait long.

Thankfully, an amazing donor family going through the grief of losing a loved one had the selflessness to think of others. Families need to discuss with their relatives now their wishes for when they are gone – and it only needs to be a short conversation. To sign up to the Organ Donor Register either text SAVE to 84118, or visit: www.organdonation.nhs.uk/

P.S. When you make a donation, don't forget to check the Gift Aid box if you're a UK taxpayer. Your charity can then claim an extra 28% from the government.

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