“Without your amazing support, we wouldn’t have our little girl with us today”

Baby Esmé was born with a rare condition called congenital complete heart block, which slows her heartbeat and could have been fatal. Thanks to Evelina London, Esmé had lifesaving treatments from the moment she was born, and today, she’s a happy, healthy two-year-old.

We met mum Rae right after her 20-week scan, when she learned her baby had a heart defect. From that moment on, the specialist Evelina London team saw her every week at the fetal cardiology unit, where they monitored baby Esmé’s growth.

When Esmé was born, she received round-the-clock care from our expert neonatal team. Then when she was just one week old, Esmé underwent lifesaving surgery to have her pacemaker fitted – a tiny device the size of a AAA battery. It was a delicate operation, as Esmé was so little at the time, her pacemaker had to be fitted behind her stomach instead of under her collarbone.

“Evelina London was absolutely amazing, from the actual care Esmé received to the personal level the doctors got to know our family – without their amazing support we wouldn't have our little girl with us today.”

Rae Dawson, Esmé's mum

Throughout this stressful experience, Rae benefitted from the hospital’s homely, welcoming spaces, which are made possible with charity funding. These comfy rooms can support new parents to nurture special bonds with their baby during a difficult time, and help them cope with the heartache of seeing their baby in intensive care.

Today, Esmé is thriving thanks to the dedicated care she received at Evelina London. She’s enjoying her childhood, loves playing with her older sister Amelia, and recently cheered on her mum who ran the 2024 Virgin London Marathon to support us.

Bolstered by donations from our supporters, Evelina London Children’s Charity provides the hospital with incredible services and equipment, like making the neonatal unit feel more like home for families like Rae’s. Or funding music therapy sessions at the bedside, giving new parents special time to bond with their tiny newborns.

“I ran the marathon because Evelina London Children’s Charity changes the lives of so many children. If I’ve raised enough money to help another family have an easier experience at a difficult time, that would be incredible."

Rae Dawson, Esmé's mum

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How your support creates incredible moments

Evelina London was with Rae and Esmé every step of the way, from Rae’s first specialist ultrasound, to her C-section, to the installation of Esmé’s pacemaker – and they couldn’t have done it without the help of our supporters.

Every day, we work with families and little patients just like Rae and Esmé, and see how your donations make incredible moments. This could be hearing a sick child giggle during a play therapy session supported by your donations. Or seeing a young patient wake up feeling stronger after successful surgery, planned using a charity-funded 3D printer.

Thanks to our supporters, we’ve also funded vital improvements to our neonatal unit like transport incubators that help move precious newborns like baby Esmé around the hospital safely. We’re also working to make our neonatal unit even more welcoming for parents of seriously ill babies by redesigning the family areas, providing vital comfort and care at a difficult time.

Your support helps to fill each day at Evelina London with incredible moments. They’re transformational, unforgettable, and come in all shapes and sizes.

Donate today and help create more incredible moments for the children and families who need us.

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