A Torfaen family are organising a masquerade ball to raise money for a charity that helps nurses increase their skills when doing pregnancy scans.
Five-month-old Chester Osment, from Blaenavon, was born with a complex congenital heart defect that wasn’t spotted at his mum’s 20-week scan. He has to put on some more weight before he can have the vital operation he needs.
Mum Kristy Evans told Cwmbran Life her family’s fundraising for Tiny Tickers is helping them “make something positive out of a dark, lonely situation.”
She had a cesarean section. During this extended stay at the Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran, an alert nurse spotted that Chester had a “murmur.”
Kristy said: “It was on the day I was going home. A nurse picked up Chester and listened to his heart and said, ‘I can hear a murmur.’”
‘Further tests’
Further tests by a doctor led to the family being transferred to the Heath Hospital in Cardiff where they’ve spent so much time since his birth.
She said: “If we knew during pregnancy, it would have been different. We would have had steroids to help him grow. He’s fighting to stay alive every day.”
The charity gives nurses “extra training” to help them spot rare heart problems in unborn babies.
The family organised a raffle a few months ago that raised over £800 for the British Heart Foundation.
Kristy added: “The more money they have [Tiny Kickers], the more they can help nurses and the more families they can help.”
Tiny Tickers also supports parents and families through the treatment.
Tickets and raffle prizes for the ball
The masquerade ball is on Saturday 15 November in the Maes Manor Hotel in Blackwood and includes a three-course meal, a prize for the best mask, raffle and a DJ. Contact Kristy on 07568 375039 for tickets. £50 per person.
Please contact Kristy if you can offer a raffle prize.
Photo credit
Photo taken by Laura Jane Photography. Follow her on Facebook , Instagram, or visit her website.