LERFC - Hiking for Hearts
Emily Hill is raising money for Take Heart
Story
We’re taking on the Three Peak’s Challenge for Take Heart, in support of our amazing friend Emily who had her first heart surgery when she was just 1, where she had a Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) also known as ‘hole in the heart surgery’. Her second surgery was Open Heart surgery in 2017 where she had an aortic root replacement. Since then, she has been diagnosed with a genetic condition known as an ACTA2 Deficiency which is a connective tissue disorder. She has been monitored for the last few years with little change. However, in the summer of 2022 Emily was given the news that her condition was worsening. After many months of investigations, she was listed for her 2nd open heart surgery.
On March 14th, 2023, Emily had an urgent aortic root and arch replacement with a mechanical valve fitted, she also had a bypass of both corotid arteries. The surgery went well, however in the next few days she struggled to wake up as the surgeon had expected. Following lots of investigation and scans Emily’s family were told that she had suffered a right PICA infarct. This stroke can lead to some long-term deficits, mainly balance problems. She has worked hard through her recovery and is now doing well as she continues with her rehabilitation.
Take Heart was huge in helping both Emily and her family to recover whilst in hospital. Both Emily and her family want to thank them for all they have done hence the reason for this challenge.
Take Heart is a charity working towards making life more comfortable for Heart Patients in the Yorkshire Heart Centre in LGI. The charity is run entirely on a voluntary basis, so the majority of funds go directly to the projects for which they are intended. Take Heart was founded in 1989 and since then has raised nearly six million pounds to fund both major projects and minor.
They supply furniture for wards, provide free bedside TV and phone calls for all heart patients, provide up to date equipment for staff, provide a roof garden adjacent to the heart wards to provide a breath of fresh air for patients, visitors and staff. Importantly, they also provide en-suite accommodation for out-of-town relatives completely free of charge.
Emily’s partner, Sam, and his teammates at Long Eaton Rugby Football Club (LERFC) are taking on the challenge and have a few words to say about why they decided to take on this huge challenge in support of Emily and Take Heart:
As Sam’s teammates and close friends, we have become very close with Emily over the years. The news of her needing surgery was horrible to hear but we all know how strong willed she can be! We eagerly awaited each update throughout the process and sent our love and best wishes regularly to all Emily’s family and Sam. Whilst feeling helpless throughout Emily’s surgery and ongoing recovery a lot of us looked for ways we could help or do our part. This was when we discussed with Sam the opportunity to do a charity event that will push our capabilities and challenge us. We came to the decision with Emily’s blessing to complete the National Three Peaks Challenge within 24 hours and decided that June 8th was a fitting date. We can’t stress how much Take Heart has done for Sam and Emily’s family, as well as many other families in Yorkshire. We hope to make everyone proud.
Visit the Take Heart website here: www.takeheart.net
Thank you to everyone who has donated!