I will be running the Chester Marathon on 6th October in memory of Zach Worsnip. All funds raised will be donated to the Neonatal Unit at Liverpool Women’s Hospital.

Zach Worsnip was born on 27 December 2011 to close friend of mine Rachel and her husband Carl.  20 weeks into the pregnancy Zach was diagnosed with an incredibly rare condition called CHAOS (congenital higher airway obstruction syndrome) which blocked Zach’s airways and caused excessive swelling in his tummy and around other organs. Zach's parents and Consultants in Liverpool Women’s Hospital did absolutely everything they could do to support Zach including arranging for Rachel and Carl to go to Belgium to see a Professor who had seen this condition before.  The Professor advised them to make a second trip to see him at 28 weeks so he could assess them however, before they could make this trip Rachel’s waters broke and the hospital undertook a specialist procedure, one which they had never done before, to deliver Zach safely.

 

Zach was only given a 10% chance that night, odds he defied!  For the next 3 weeks Zach was looked after by the staff in the hospital and by his Mum and Dad who stayed by his side day in, day out.  Sadly, the strain on his heart was too much and he passed away on 17 January 2012.  His parents were there with him to say goodbye.

 

I am therefore raising money in Zach’s memory and for the wonderful staff in Liverpool Women’s Hospital whose support meant that Rachel and Carl could spend 3 weeks with their gorgeous son, something which seemed like a miracle after they were told at 20 weeks he probably wouldn’t survive the pregnancy.  The funds will support parents in a similar situation to receive the excellent care delivered by the Hospital.

 

Thank you