My Name is Finley Evans – and Alder Hey Saved My Life - My family want to give back and raise awareness.

My daddy has taken on an incredible challenge — he walked a massive 92 miles! He completed it on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st June. He walked Wales twice. From Montgomery to machynlleth and then back again with no sleep.

In august my mummy and daddy will both be walking up Snowdon in collaboration with Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

My mummy also had a few more fundraisers planned throughout this year.

At just over 24 hours old, I became extremely poorly. I was very dehydrated, unable to keep any milk down, and, most importantly, I hadn’t passed the meconium (the first black poo newborns usually pass) in the first 24 hours after birth.

My mummy and daddy knew something was very wrong when I started bringing up green and yellow bile. Mummy rushed me to Wrexham Hospital,

while daddy stayed at home to look after my older brother and sister.

Shortly after arriving, it was clear I was extremely unwell — I was almost lifeless. Within a few hours, I was blue-lighted to Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

When I arrived at Alder Hey's Neonatal Unit, the amazing doctors quickly began running tests. They suspected I had a rare bowel disease. After multiple tests, biopsies, and daily rectal washouts to keep my bowels emptied, it was confirmed: I had Hirschsprung's Disease.

What is Hirschsprung’s Disease?

Hirschsprung’s is a rare birth defect that affects 1 in every 5,000 babies and is five times more common in boys. It happens when the nerves that control bowel movements don’t develop properly before birth, causing dangerous blockages.

In my case, the nerves in a section of my lower bowel never developed, meaning that part of my bowel couldn’t function.

I spent three weeks in Alder Hey, only being allowed home once my mummy and daddy had been trained to perform the invasive rectal washouts I needed three times a day. Thanks to their care — and a lot of bravery from everyone — I avoided needing a colostomy bag.

There was always a risk of infection, and my parents had to watch carefully for signs of a serious complication called enterocolitis.

At just three months old, I underwent life-changing surgery called a 'Pull Through' procedure. Surgeons removed the section of my bowel that didn’t work and connected the healthy intestine to the lower bowel. After a week in hospital recovering, I was able to go home!

I still have a long road ahead of me, but thanks to Alder Hey, I’ve been given the chance to live a normal life.

I owe my life to Alder Hey and the incredible doctors, surgeons, and staff who saved me and supported my family through the scariest time of our lives. Words can’t express how grateful we are for the remarkable work they do every single day.

Now, my family and I want to give something back — for giving me back to my family.

Thank you for reading my story. If you can spare anything at all, your support will go a long way toward helping other families like mine.

Together, we can help Alder Hey continue their life-saving work.

Please read the links below on the pioneering work Alder Hey are doing.

https://www.alderhey.nhs.uk/new-stem-cell-research-project-aims-to-understand-potentially-fatal-newborn-bowel-condition/

https://www.alderhey.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Hirschprungs-Disease-PIAG-456.pdf