Molly Aisling Cassidy was born to James and Anne at 12.30pm on the 10th of February 2007, eleven weeks prematurely. She was immediately transferred to St Mary’s Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). The staff in the unit helped Anne and James to care for Molly for four days until Molly passed away on 14th February. Although Molly’s story ended sadly, James and Anne intend to ensure that Molly’s memory delivers happy endings to other parents and babies by supporting The New Children’s Hospital, and specifically the new SCBU facilities, in Molly’s memory. Staff in the existing Special Care Baby Unit care for 650 babies every year but still found the time to support Anne and James throughout Molly’s short life and after her death by making a christening gown for Molly and attending her funeral. ABOUT THE NEW CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND THE SPECIAL CARE BABY UNIT The New Children’s Hospital Appeal launched in May 2006 and aims to raise £20 million to help fund projects for children’s services at the new hospitals development currently under construction in central Manchester. The Appeal is specifically focussing on two main areas: • Ensuring that the new state-of-the-art buildings have the very best equipment available for diagnosis and treatment. • Providing accommodation so the parents can stay close to their child during treatment. Some of the equipment the Appeal is fundraising for includes 12 ‘Tom Thumb’ neonatal resuscitators costing £15,000 each.They are also raising funds for four infant warmers at £3,500 each which will allow midwifery staff to warm and comfort even the tiniest of patients and prevent hypothermia.These are just some examples. The Appeal will also provide areas for parents to stay to be close to their babies whilst they are in hospital. This will include 20 parental overnight rooms for the new St Mary’s facility, which will have shared sitting rooms, WC and showers.The Appeal will also support six embedded en-suite parent rooms with a shared kitchen/sitting room specifically for the new neonatal unit. A recent report found that many neonatal units in the UK are oversubscribed and under funded. We are supporting the new SCBU at St Mary’s to make sure that they can provide the very best care and give all premature babies the love and care that Molly received whilst in the unit. Everyone hopes they will never need the Special Care Baby Unit; but undoubtedly many of us will. That is why it is so important to support it - so it’s there for you or someone you know and love.
The New Children's Hospital Appeal is part of Central Manchester and MAnchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust. Registered charity number 1049174
The New Children's Hospital Appeal is part of Central Manchester and MAnchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust. Registered charity number 1049174 The New Children's Hospital Appeal is part of Central Manchester and MAnchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust. Registered charity number 1049174