Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving Page. 

Seven years ago our son, Oscar, died very suddenly and unexpectedly. It took many months to get any understanding as to what had happened, and because it happened so quickly we were warned from the outset that we might never know. Eventually we were advised that, having being diagnosed with Osteomyelitis whilst in hospital (a rare but non fatal bone infection), his PICC line (used in order to administer intravenous antibiotics) became infected and so he had to be readmitted to hospital. During that time it is suspected that he contracted rotavirus (a common sickness bug amongst young children which is now vaccinated against) and that this manifested itself in encephalitis, a viral infection of the brain which took over his brain stem and killed him. Thinking of Oscar was founded to ensure that the time that we spent with him was just the first of many chapters in his name.

The purpose of Thinking of Oscar is to bring the future of healthcare to children. Children represent 20% of the population, 100% of our future yet only 5% of healthcare budgets are spent on children. Many solutions in child health are miniaturised versions of the adult solution. Companies are less likely to invest in the paediatric healthcare segment because, when approached alone, it’s often considered to be too small of an addressable market. We believe that there is huge scope to positively impact outcomes in child health by increasing investment in paediatric specific innovation. 

To date we have funded devices which improve experiences of children whilst in hospital care; from vein finders which make cannulations much less traumatic to floor projectors which provide interactive play opportunities whilst children are awaiting treatment. We are currently funding a research project which looks at algorithms to help prevent sleep apnea within pre-term babies. We are also in the process of preparing to fund a number of Paediatric fellowship posts. Finally we are investigating the scope for implementing VR solutions to help to make children’s experience in hospital easier. 

Why this challenge?

Each year since Oscar has died (except 2020 of course) we have participated in the Blenheim Palace Triathlon. Since that time 250/300 people have joined us and together we have raised several hundred of thousand pounds. 

This year we will be a small and select group. We chose not to promote the event heavily as predicting life as we emerge from the pandemic was impossible. However, whilst we appreciate your donation this year, we would love to come back with a bang at the Blenheim Palace Triathlon next year, scheduled to take place in May 2022. Like many small charities fundraising in the past 18 months has been impossible and so any contribution    of your money or time is gratefully received. 

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