Emma's page

Darling Emma Rose led a wonderful life as a beautiful daughter, sister and friend for over 15 very happy years.  Her health unexepectedly deteriorated in early 2014 - everyone suspected some form of lung disorder.  Eventually this diagnosis was revised and she was sent for a medical review at GOSH where she suffered sudden and unexpected heart failure.   She actually had a dreadful and extremely rare disease called Churg Strauss (a form of vasculitis) which had, unbeknown to us all, badly damaged her heart and other organs.  For the next 102 days the wonderful surgeons, doctors and nurses at GOSH across over 30 departments, closely supported by Emma's family and friends, did absolutely everything in their collective power to save, stabilise and give Emma the chance of returning to a normal life. Emma's journey was always at the extremes of medicine and when her own heart could not be saved she was lucky enough to be given a transplant.  Emma faced it all with courage and bravery but very sadly lost her battle on 30th May, 2014.  The compassion, skill, love and friendship extended to Emma and her family by the staff of GOSH was humbling and the work they do is amazing.  We are all devastated by losing Emma but this is one way to ensure her memory will live on  - funds raised will be used to promote research and other projects as directed by the two main teams that cared for Emma: rheumatology (for her disease) and cardiology (intensive care and transplant).  Thank you for all your support.