Elain was born in March 2010 and shortly after diagnosed with Pulmonary Atresia, VSD and MAPCAs a complex form of Congenital Heart Disease. She was also diagnosed with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.In June 2010, at 12 weeks, Elain fell extremely ill at home in Aberystwyth and following spending a night at the local hospital was airlifted the 150mile journey 
to the University Hospital for Wales, Cardiff the following day. A week later she was transferred on to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children for lifesaving heart surgery. Complications followed and she ended up spending a total of 21 weeks in hospital at both Bristol and Cardiff. In the 18 months following her discharge in November 2010, further hospital admissions and surgery were frequent, often again miles away from home in Cardiff and Bristol. The continual upheaval placed a huge strain on the family.The financial and emotional support given by Julie and the Leon Heart Fund is absolutely vital to give heart families the support they need. The emergency grants they provide help ease the financial pressure so that parents can focus all their energy to caring for themselves and their child in often extremely traumatic circumstances.Things with Elain have remained stable for the past 2 years but with further surgery needed in the very near future it is a comfort to know that the Leon Heart Fund is there to help provide the support needed to get through those dark times.
