Grateful family's fundraising 'thank you' for intensive care team

Thursday 28 April 2016


Grateful family's fundraising 'thank you' for intensive care team

The family of a patient who received lifesaving intensive care have raised £23,000 for Guy’s and St Thomas’.

Simon Dredge was so seriously injured in a power boat accident in May 2015 that at first doctors thought it was unlikely he would survive. However, he was brought to the Intensive Care Unit at St Thomas’ Hospital where an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine was used to support his heart and lungs.

ECMO removes blood from the body, artificially pumping out carbon dioxide and replacing oxygen. It is used in intensive care medicine to help patients who are unable to breathe for themselves.

Simon was on ECMO for five days, which gave his lungs enough time to recover and repair. After spending three weeks in St Thomas’, Simon was able to go home.

Simon’s sister, Laura-Jo, was so inspired by the treatment he received that she organised a hugely successful fundraising dinner to raise money for the hospital.

Laura-Jo, 22, says: “Without ECMO and the intensive care team, we would not be lucky enough to have Simon with us today. I hope that our fundraising will enable the team to continue their phenomenal work caring for other patients, but also help to provide the support for families that we were so grateful to receive. 

“Nothing can prepare you for a situation like the one we were in, but each member of staff who looked after Simon also helped us every day with their incredible attitudes towards work and their dedication to their jobs."

Since making their donation to Guy’s and St Thomas’, Simon, Laura-Jo, and their parents Peter and Fiona have returned to St Thomas’ to thank the staff in the Intensive Care Unit.

Simon, 18, says: “It was great to see the team at St Thomas' and to be able to give something back after everything they've done. They helped save my life, which is why my family wanted to raise funds and support their good work. I was hugely lucky to survive the accident and then to receive such first-class care at St Thomas' - I'll always be grateful."

Dr Chris Langrish, consultant intensivist and anaesthetist and clinical lead for critical care, says: "It was terrific to see Simon in such good shape. He responded really well to the treatment and has made an outstanding recovery.

"The specialist equipment we use in the critical care team supports our patients who are very seriously ill. Access to ECMO treatment can be lifesaving for patients who require intensive care.

"It's fantastic that Laura-Jo and Simon have been so successful in their fundraising. Their generous donation will help us continue to provide care for other seriously ill patients in future."

Last updated: September 2023

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