Couple aid appeal for MRI scanner

Three years ago Aisling and Barry Creaney’s son Oran was born with a rare and chronic congenital heart defect.

Before surgeons could risk opening up his tiny body they needed a picture of his heart to determine how they could save him. However, with no scanner in Northern Ireland the family took the risk of making an emergency dash to the Republic of Ireland where the vital equipment was available.

It was a traumatic experience for both Oran and his parents, and the family fully understand the necessity behind the appeal to raise funds for an MRI Scanner at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

Aisling and Barry recently held a charity night in the Woodville Arms which raised £4,600. They also received a donation of £3,500 from Santander. The Craigavon couple, along with their son Oran, were proud to be able to present a cheque for £8,100 to Children’s Heartbeat Trust and Children’s MRI Scanner Appeal.

Aisling is expecting a second baby in September. She’s being carefully monitored at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Oran goes for check ups at the Clark Clinic every six months. His third open-heart operation is in a year and a half’s time.

“He’s doing well. He still has his button in for feeding and he gets short of breath. Apart from when you strip him down and see the scars he’s just like any normal child.

“I think he thinks every child is like him - that they all have buttons to feed through.”

Oran is due to start St Anthony’s Nursery School in September. His hobbies include playing football, building jigsaws and watching cartoons.

He’s looking forward to a trip to Disneyland some time in the future.

Aisling and Barry thanked everyone who donated prizes for the raffle at the Woodville and everyone who came along on the night for their generous support. They also gave a big thank you to Santander.

Sarah Quinlan, Executive Officer with the Children’s Heartbeat Trust said: “We are very thankful to the Creaneys and everyone who supported them in raising these essential funds, as well as Santander.”

Children’s Heartbeat Trust is one of the four official charities running the MRI Scanner Appeal. The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children is the only children’s hospital in the UK not to have an MRI Scanner and without a dedicated Children’s MRI Scanner in the Children’s hospital; many children in Northern Ireland who would benefit from an MRI Scan are unable to have one.

£2million is required for the children’s MRI scanner. The total currently stands at £571,547.

If you would like to find out more about the Children’s MRI Scanner Appeal please contact 07584 164 815, email [email protected] or visit the website at www.childrensheartbeattrust.org or www.mriscannerappeal.org