Race in memory of son who died at 18 months
A MUM who lost her young son to a rare lung disease is joining a charity race to raise money in his memory.
Efan Wyn Evans died aged 18 months in December 2012 after spending months in intensive care at the Royal Manchester Children’s hospital.
His parents, Bethan and Bleddyn Evans from Nefyn, were never far from his bedside and were fortunate that Ronald McDonald House had recently opened so they could have somewhere to stay.
After Efan’s death the family have been fundraising for both the hospital and McDonald House, and a room was named after Efan in his memory.
The sponsorship period has now ended and to renew it Bethan has decided to take part in the Great Manchester Run at the end of May.
“It is quite a challenge for someone who has never run a race before. I am very fortunate to have supportive friends and hopefully 15 of us will be running because families of poorly children need somewhere to stay,” she said.
Bethan said Efan was born in March 2011 and it soon became apparent his health wasn’t “normal”: he was finally diagnosed as having a rare lung disease called Surfactant deficiency protein-C.
“Efan was discharged needing oxygen 24/7, his health remained stable for a year, we would travel once monthly for a three day intravenous steroid course at Manchester and he would occasionally need hospitalisation at Ysbyty Gwynedd or Manchester when poorly.”
On December 14, 2012 Efan’s lungs failed - a lung transplant wasn’t an option for such a young child - and he died peacefully holding his parents hands.
The family are also organising a series of fun events in the Nefyn area. More details at facebook.com/ groups/cronfa.efan