Christina is running for Charlie

Christina is running for Charlie

14 May 2014

GRAINNE and Gareth Holland had little cause for concern when their son went into hospital for a routine tonsillectomy two years ago.

While he was on the operating table, seven year-old Charlie became gravely ill, sparking panic among medical professionals who struggled to regulate his heart rate while he was under anaesthetic.

Doctors managed to stabilise Charlie and later realised the incident had been triggered by Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome, which causes an abnormally fast heartbeat and can be potentially life-threatening.

Until then, Charlie’s family had been unaware that their child suffered from such a syndrome.

Since his diagnosis, Grainne admits she sometimes wants to wrap Charlie up in cotton wool, although she has to allow him to live as normal and active a life as possible.

“Thankfully we were oblivious to what was happening when Charlie got into difficulties on the operating table two years ago,” said Grainne.

“We later learnt that he has an extra pathway in his heart, which can cause something known as the death rhythm and if it stays in that rhythm it will stop.

“Charlie is now able to tell us if his heart is doing a funny dance and we can monitor him.

“He has a check up every nine months and at 18 he will have an operation to blast away the extra pathway, but he needs to grow fully before that can be carried out.

“The whole thing totally scared the life out of us and sometimes I feel as if there is a big dark cloud hanging over us.

“It was probably the anaesthetic that brought it on and it would never have been picked up otherwise.”

Grainne said she was recently very touched when her sister-in-law Christina Holland, from Ballycruttle, announced that she would take part in a charity run in aid of Cardiac Risk in Young People because of Charlie.

Christina, whose sister Bronagh also underwent heart surgery at 21, said she hoped to help other families affected by heart issues through her charity run.

“When we realised Charlie had a heart issue, it felt like lightening was striking twice,” said Christina.

“My sister Bronagh had a leaking valve, which was discovered when she was 10 when doctors were monitoring her for a heart murmur.

“Her operation to have the valve replaced was filmed because, at 21, she was the youngest woman to have had the procedure carried out with a tissue valve.

“Because I know of the worry this causes families, I was really keen to do something to help.

“Hopefully I will raise a decent amount of money for Cardiac Risk in Young People (CRY) through the run, which will be held on June 1.”

The Race for Life is held annually at Stormont in aid of Cancer Research. As well as supporting Cancer Research through the run, Christina is hoping to get extra sponsorship for CRY. Readers can support her thrrough the Cakery Crew, Irish Street, Downpatrick, which will also be hosting a sponsored event  for the charity.