MEMBERS of Warrington’s Irish club supported by members of the local community at Orford teamed up to help raise funds for a 10-year-old girl who battled against the odds after being born with half a heart.
More than 80 people took part in a sponsored walk from Alder Hey’s Children’s Hospital, where little Caitlyn Whitehead was born, to Warrington, helping raise thousands of pounds to send her on a dream holiday to Florida and for the hosptal’s heart unit.
They were joined by local councillors Mike Hannon and Kerri Morris, who were showing support for Caitlyn and her grandad Chris Whitehead, who organised a number of peace walks and charity events following the Warrington bombing.
Cllr Hannon, who raised over £300 in sponsorship said: “We were delighted to support Chris and his family after all the good work he has done in the past.”
Caitlyn’s Mum Natalie Whitehead recalled her daughter’s battle for life.
“At five days old her only chance of survival was to undergo open heart surgery. Following 12 hours in theatre Dr Marco Pozzi, Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon discussed my daughter’s critical condition.
“To this day I remember asking him “Will she die?” in which he responded “I don’t know”.
“It was at this point I began to realise how poorly my little girl was and mentally made plans to say goodbye. Weeks went by and Caitlyn remained on a life support machine, receiving the maximum level of treatment available to her. February had been and gone. Each day I sat next to her, holding her hand and speaking few words I had within me to comfort her.
“March arrived and so did the day when my miracle baby was able to breath for herself. After many more weeks of recovery Caitlyn was finally allowed home for the first time since birth.
“Relief, distress and fear shook through my body. It was my time to take over and care for her precious life.”
Two years went by and then it was time for Caitlyn to endure her second heart operation.
Natalie added: “”I still have to pinch myself when I say this but after 10 hours in theatre, a few days in intensive care and the odd day or two on the cardiac ward, my little lady was discharged eight days following open heart surgery. Amazing. A quick recovery according to the doctors and nurses.”
Then in October 2010 Caitlyn endured complex heart surgery for the third time. This operation would redesign the plumbing in and round her heart giving her the best chance of making it into adult hood and living with half a heart. Six weeks post-surgery, Caitlyn was still in hospital and her condition began to deteriorate. The Cardiologist decided further invasive investigations was needed to determine why her current state was weakening.
“The news was heart-breaking, unbearable and difficult to comprehend. Caitlyn’s new circulation had collapsed meaning she would have to go through further heart surgery. She spent a total of 12 weeks in hospital, seven operations and finally she was discharged a few days before Christmas,” added Natalie.
As a consequence of Caitlyn’s circumstances the courageous nine year old became the creator and founder of the Katie Heart Fund.
She was also the driving force behind the setup of the charity graciously organised by Warrington Irish club family and friends in 2014.
Caitlyn endured several months of psychology enabling her to manage her demons and worries surrounding her life threatening heart condition.
Determination along with the support of her clinical psychologist, Susannah McNulty, resulted In Caitlyn giving her heart the name “Katie Heart”.
The Charity board members and organisers dedicated their time to organising a 17 mile Charity Walk when Over 80 people walked from Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to Warrington.All donations for the 2015 walk and go fund me appeal will be split between Cardiac Pioneering Surgical Equipment, The “Hybrid Theatre” and towards a trip to Florida for Caitlyn.
To make a donation please visit http://www.gofundme.com/oyj9bk
Natalie concluded: “Caitlyn and her family would like to say a huge thank you to all the people who have supported us through these difficult times.”
Picture shows Caitlyn outside the Irish Club with mum Natalie and a cheque for £10,000 with Irish Club Chairman Frank O’Brien and his wife Irene and local councillors Mike Hannon and Kerri Morris.
