Surgical diathermy involves the use of high frequency alternating electrical current (HFAC) in surgery to either cut tissues or coagulate bleeding tissues, thereby minimizing blood loss.   The new mats act as a way for the HFAC to return back out of the young patient’s body to the diathermy machine and are the perfect size for babies.  They are certainly getting some use, as feedback from St George’s is that they are being used in all their operations on infants.  Thank you so much for the generous grant LSE!

“Many thanks to the charity for purchasing these pumps. The pumps will be used within the Paediatric Unit/NNU to administer morphine (analgesia) to babies and young children. The pumps enable the nurses/doctors to taylor the analgesic to the infants specific needs. It means that we are able to give lower doses overall but at the same time this is safer, controls the infants pain better and means the risk of experiencing side effects is reduced. This means that their recovery from procedures should be quicker.”

CareFusion pain relief pump

To everyone who continues to support us thank you so much.

If you’re having a clear out then this is the perfect way of decluttering whilst also helping Baby Isaac Fund.  As an eBay seller you can now donate 10-100% to us whenever you sell an item (There is a £1 minimum donation per listing).  You’ll also earn fee credits whenever you donate this way.

For further information please see our Fundraising page.

Across Wales

Battling the elements and a 700ft climb from the starting post, Suzy said; “The first one and a half  uphill miles was seriously tough but after that we felt a lot better. There were a few showers and a lot of wind but my feet kept going and I’m surprised to say I have no blisters! ”

Cristina Villiers, Baby Isaac Fund Trustee, said; “We were so touched when Suzy got in touch to say she’d like to raise money for the charity. 18 miles through wind and rain is a serious commitment, not to mention all the efforts in attracting donations. Thank you Suzy for making a real difference!”

To support all fund raisers, Baby Isaac Fund is in the process of creating a special kit of branded posters, flyers and donation tin labels which we will host on the website. A PDF Poster can be downloaded here, watch this space for further news soon.

Pictured above: Suzy and fellow walkers Leanne, Vicky & Chloe at the finishing line.

As a result, the neo-natal surgical team at St George’s hospital, Tooting, London, have received two highly specialized neonatal laparoscopic instrument sets.

The innovative sets, the first to be used in the UK, are 30 per cent smaller than standard laparoscopy sets, allowing minimally invasive surgery to be carried out on newborn patients with abdominal and chest problems.

Eric Nicholls, a senior consultant paediatric surgeon, at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, London and Baby Isaac Fund Trustee, worked closely with the surgical team to select the specialized equipment within the kits.

He said; “St George’s is home to one of the busiest paediatric general surgical teams in London. As a result of this generous donation, we will be able to operate laparoscopically on increasing numbers of newborn babies. The smaller size of these instruments makes them stronger and more durable than standard laparoscopy kits, which will help improve patient care.”

On behalf of Baby Isaac Fund, co-founder and trustee, Ian Villiers added; “Words can’t really convey how humbled and thankful we are to everyone who has contributed their time and money to helping the fund donate this much needed equipment to the incredible team at St George’s.”

“Their work changes lives every single day and the care they and the full neonatal team showed Isaac and every other baby and child who arrives in the neonatal unit at the most vulnerable time imaginable, will never leave Cristina and I. To everybody who has supported the fund, thank you. Somewhere Isaac is smiling knowing that other babies stand a stronger chance of getting better”.

Please watch this space for the next fundraising challenge to help poorly newborn babies recover quicker and get home to their families.

The photo shows; Ian Villiers (far left) with wife Cristina and their son Barney, alongside consultant paediatric surgeons Zahid Mukhtar, Bruce Okoye and Eric Nicholls with the new laparoscopy kits.

Rob has raised a massive £5600 which takes our grand total so far to over £16000!

Rob has raised a massive £5600 towards vital keyhole surgery equipment for babies at St George’s Hospital.

Rob McIvor on Paris-Brest-Paris bike ride

Read Rob’s account of his toughest challenge yet at https://www.justgiving.com/teams/rob-mcivor

If you would like to support this epic challenge then you can visit Rob’s Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/Rob-McIvor3

A big thank you to Anita and all the parents at Cheeky Chimps music classes.  They have been supporting Baby Isaac Fund over the past year.