Why do we raise for the Evelina?
Our son, Alexander, was born prematurely via emergency C-section in March 2024 due to placental insufficiency. After his birth at QEQM in Margate, he was transferred to the NICU at the Evelina. Once there, he was diagnosed with congenital heart block, pulmonary atresia and tricuspid atresia. His heart rate was averaging at 50-60 bpm. A new-born's heart rate should be 100-160 bpm. His pulmonary and tricuspid heart valves had not developed properly. He needed heart surgery and a pacemaker, however, they could not perform any surgery on a baby this premature.
He showed so much personality. We will always remember how he would try to pull on his breathing tube or kick his legs, how he would open his eyes when listening to lullabies, or the feeling of his little hand gripping our fingers. We are so lucky to have met him and words cannot express the love we felt for our darling boy.
He passed away at 4 days old.
For his 4 days on this earth, the NICU staff at the Evelina were incredible. They did everything they could to make him comfortable and also provide us with opportunities to spend time with him. They brought a photographer in to take photos of us, they gave us premie baby clothes to dress him in, allowed us to spend time in a separate room with family so that his grandparents and great-grandparents could meet him, and even helped us bathe him despite all his wires and tubes. They also provided us with a wonderful memory box of Babygro's, footprints and various medical wearables such as ECG stickers and oxygen cuffs that he had worn. He was always loved, not just by us but also by the incredible staff that looked after him.
Every contribution at this event will be donated to Evelina Children’s Charity in his memory and will help support other ill children and their families. We’re so excited to have a fun month while also raising money for an excellent cause!
About Evelina
From their website:
Evelina London children's services are part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.
Our comprehensive health services care for children from before birth, throughout childhood and into adult life.
We provide hospital care and treatment at both our purpose-built children’s hospital on the St Thomas’ Hospital site and at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals. We care for families in our local areas and provide an extensive range of specialist services for children with rare and complex conditions from across south London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
Our vision is to be a world leading centre of life-changing care for children, young people and their families.
Evelina London cares for 104,000 families a year. Our Children's Hospital is a stunning purpose-built building on the site of St Thomas', and includes:
215 inpatient beds, 30 intensive care beds
46-cot neonatal unit
an emergency department
5 dedicated operating theatres, plus 1 cardiac theatre in St Thomas’
a full children’s imaging service with MRI scanner, X-ray and ultrasound
a kidney dialysis unit
an outpatients department and a medical day care unit
a hospital school
With themed floors, a glass atrium, rooms with views, sunlight and fresh air, Evelina London Children's Hospital was designed around the needs of children and their families.
Inpatients are on the upper levels of the building, so children staying in hospital enjoy the best views. They also overlook the atrium, the social heart of the building, housing a gallery and performance space and the hospital school.