“Rachael’s heart is not working. We don’t know if she will survive the helicopter ride.”
These are the words Lisa and her husband Chris heard just after their daughter was born.
They were told their little girl had serious heart complications. Cardiologists discovered she had pulmonary heart dysfunction among other defects.
Rachael was airlifted to Toronto while her mom lay in recovery at the hospital.
Tiny Rachael endured heart surgery and spent weeks in critical care. When the family returned home to London, Children’s Hospital was there for them – following up the next day to ensure Rachael got the care she needed.
Today, Rachael is a strong and healthy 17-year-old and continues to visit the cardiology department at Children’s Hospital.
Thanks to the CP Healthy Hearts Lab, doctors have been able to test her heart as she grows. As an active teenager, Rachael knows how to exercise safely to avoid damage to her heart.
Soon she will be transitioning to adult care, but her family is grateful to have experienced the support of a state-of-the-art lab close to home that is built with kids in mind.
“Being able to have a stress test for children to regularly check her heart health makes life easier for Rachael and the whole family,” shares Rachael’s mom, Lisa.
Listen to Rachael’s story live at Corus Radiothon on March 4 to learn how Children’s Hospital helped Rachael navigate the tough road of living with a congenital heart defect.
Click here for more information about Corus Radiothon.
Rachael’s story is sponsored by:
