Thousands of thanks from parents
THE parents of twins saved by Stepping Hill Hospital’s neonatal team have shown their thanks by fundraising for the baby unit.
Mum and dad Ashleigh, 33, and Mark Dawson, 42, from Cheadle Hulme had been trying for a baby for more than four years with the help of IVF treatment, and were delighted to find out they were having twins.
Joy was partnered with worry however when they were told the babies had the dangerous twin-totwin transfusion syndrome, where one twin gets more blood from the mother than the other.
This puts a strain on the heart of the twin receiving more blood, while the other does not get all the blood they need.
When twins Isabella and Heidi Dawson were born six weeks early they were very weak and needed the care of the hospital neonatal unit.
Isabella was the larger twin, due to receiving more blood, while Heidi was less developed.
Everyone was emotional and moved by the sight of Isabella protectively cuddling her smaller sister when they were both just three days old.
The couple began a ‘baby passport’ diary, part of a scheme the neonatal unit uses to help parents focus on premature babies’ progress.
Within weeks the twins were back to good health, and just over a year on Isabella and Heidi are fit and well.
To show their thanks, marketing manager Ashleigh and company director Mark took part in a range of fundraising activities, finishing with Mark running a half marathon.
The pair have now raised more than £4,500 for the unit.
Ashleigh said: “The staff at Stepping Hill’s neonatal unit were so wonderful, both in nursing Isabella and Heidi back to health and in supporting Mark and me during the process.
“So we felt we just we had to do something to show our thanks.
“This is our way of giving a hug for the hospital just like Isabella gave a hug for Heidi.”