“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
“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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