Lauri-Ann Van der Poel
Lauri-Ann's page
Fundraising for Children's Hospital Trust South Africa
Story
The Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (or RXH) is the globally renowned paediatric hospital based in the city of Cape Town, South Africa where I was treated for asthma as a young child, where my sister died of a complication of cystic fibrosis and where I started my training in paediatrics years ago.
During my training, I saw rare conditions, advanced infectious diseases, surgical trauma that should never happen to anyone - let alone children and babies - and cancers that would challenge the world's top oncology centres. I seriously considered adopting an abandoned HIV-baby, Ursula Unknown, after we formed a bond in ward A8 but it was unrealistic for a single student and she died after too short a life.
Friendships were formed - in the trenches of the acute on calls and pervasive feelings of inadequacy and through the glow of small triumphs - that have lasted a lifetime. Some of those colleagues are now key to the ongoing running of the hospital, and my friends and graduation year group include the superintendent, an oncologist, radiologists, the leads for intensive care, allergy and more. I try visit the hospital around once a year. This is how I know the funds we pledge for the benefit of the children and families the hospital serves gets there and does its intended work.
The Red Cross Children’s Hospital brings world-class healthcare to Africa:
• 250,000 patient visits every year
• it is a global resource for the delivery of ground-breaking surgery and treatment, specialist training, and cutting-edge medical research. (Yes, even U.K. Trainees come to get invaluable clinical experience)
• its reach extends beyond its local Cape, and it is a beacon of hope and healing for some of the continent’s most critically ill children.
The Children's Hospital Trust:
• has helped build state-of-the-art radiology and intensive care departments,
• trains doctors in advanced, world-leading paediatric care and practical skills- reaching all areas, including the UK and other areas of deprived South Africa;
• invests in preventative outreach care in primary health education, including the Milk Matters breast-feeding initiative.
Are you surprised I feel the need to "Move it, Move it' to raise awareness for this incredible organisation? Please support me. My mind is willing but the body is weak and I need your help to keep me going to keep the Red Cross going!
My running track record:
- My early years were spent missing games frequently due to moderately severe asthma. I was looked after by the legendary Prof Eugene Weinberg at Red Cross Children’s.
- My asthma improved somewhat by the time I was a teenager and I started playing softball. Running between bases was the sum total of my running experience over this time...
- 2008: a blip - I felt moved to raise funds to buy electronic games for long-stay sickle cell children at the Evelina Children's hospital, where I was working. I ran the 5km and went into retirement after mission completion (choosing to continue my exercising career with T'ai Chi, Pilates and driving without power-steering )
- Jan 2017: I wanted to do something personally challenging to show my support for the work of the CHTSA and RXH - and the Royal Parks date seemed so far away - surely there would be time to train... Aren't there apps to take you from couch-potato to Mo Farrah , or something like that...? LOTS of time!
- May 2017: My experienced runner friends have started asking me if I have got off my butt yet…
Ruth, my marathon veteran dietitian friend, recommends taking some lessons to get started. As I have been mocked by friends and family for years about running like a duck, I do not disagree with this sage advice. I sign up for an assessment with The Running School in Acton... Watching a video of myself running convinces me to sign up for some training tips...
- September 2017: I have broken the 5km barrier!! I am still breaking through walls - alternating tight chest and wheeze limitations with cramping calves and achy achilles'. With a little help from my friends, it'll be a hop, skip & a jump to 21 km...!
Thank you.
L x
See also: http://childrenshospitaltrust.co.uk/ and https://www.justgiving.com/chtsa
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
During my training, I saw rare conditions, advanced infectious diseases, surgical trauma that should never happen to anyone - let alone children and babies - and cancers that would challenge the world's top oncology centres. I seriously considered adopting an abandoned HIV-baby, Ursula Unknown, after we formed a bond in ward A8 but it was unrealistic for a single student and she died after too short a life.
Friendships were formed - in the trenches of the acute on calls and pervasive feelings of inadequacy and through the glow of small triumphs - that have lasted a lifetime. Some of those colleagues are now key to the ongoing running of the hospital, and my friends and graduation year group include the superintendent, an oncologist, radiologists, the leads for intensive care, allergy and more. I try visit the hospital around once a year. This is how I know the funds we pledge for the benefit of the children and families the hospital serves gets there and does its intended work.
The Red Cross Children’s Hospital brings world-class healthcare to Africa:
• 250,000 patient visits every year
• it is a global resource for the delivery of ground-breaking surgery and treatment, specialist training, and cutting-edge medical research. (Yes, even U.K. Trainees come to get invaluable clinical experience)
• its reach extends beyond its local Cape, and it is a beacon of hope and healing for some of the continent’s most critically ill children.
The Children's Hospital Trust:
• has helped build state-of-the-art radiology and intensive care departments,
• trains doctors in advanced, world-leading paediatric care and practical skills- reaching all areas, including the UK and other areas of deprived South Africa;
• invests in preventative outreach care in primary health education, including the Milk Matters breast-feeding initiative.
Are you surprised I feel the need to "Move it, Move it' to raise awareness for this incredible organisation? Please support me. My mind is willing but the body is weak and I need your help to keep me going to keep the Red Cross going!
My running track record:
- My early years were spent missing games frequently due to moderately severe asthma. I was looked after by the legendary Prof Eugene Weinberg at Red Cross Children’s.
- My asthma improved somewhat by the time I was a teenager and I started playing softball. Running between bases was the sum total of my running experience over this time...
- 2008: a blip - I felt moved to raise funds to buy electronic games for long-stay sickle cell children at the Evelina Children's hospital, where I was working. I ran the 5km and went into retirement after mission completion (choosing to continue my exercising career with T'ai Chi, Pilates and driving without power-steering )
- Jan 2017: I wanted to do something personally challenging to show my support for the work of the CHTSA and RXH - and the Royal Parks date seemed so far away - surely there would be time to train... Aren't there apps to take you from couch-potato to Mo Farrah , or something like that...? LOTS of time!
- May 2017: My experienced runner friends have started asking me if I have got off my butt yet…
Ruth, my marathon veteran dietitian friend, recommends taking some lessons to get started. As I have been mocked by friends and family for years about running like a duck, I do not disagree with this sage advice. I sign up for an assessment with The Running School in Acton... Watching a video of myself running convinces me to sign up for some training tips...
- September 2017: I have broken the 5km barrier!! I am still breaking through walls - alternating tight chest and wheeze limitations with cramping calves and achy achilles'. With a little help from my friends, it'll be a hop, skip & a jump to 21 km...!
Thank you.
L x
See also: http://childrenshospitaltrust.co.uk/ and https://www.justgiving.com/chtsa
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.