Sheffield steelworker who lost six-day-old baby takes on marathon for neonatal intensive care unit
Jay says he wants to give something back as a thanks for the “brilliant” care he and his family received
A Sheffield steelworker whose six-day-old baby girl died following complications at birth is running a marathon for a neonatal intensive care unit.
Jay-Lee Hassan’s infant daughter died having suffered brain damage when she was born with no pulse in 2016. Although medics were able to resuscitate the little one, she died six days later.
Steel industry quality control technician Jay says he wants to give something back as a thanks for the “brilliant” care he and his family received at Jessops Maternity Wing.
On October 18 he will run the 26.2-mile Altra Yorkshire Marathon in York.
Talking about his own loss, dad-of-two Jay, 32, described how leading up to the lost child’s birth his partner sustained an infection causing a clot in the umbilical cord and the baby’s heart to stop.
Medics brought the infant’s pulse back after seven minutes, however it was sadly too late. Despite cooling therapy the baby’s brain function could not be restored.
Jay said: “We had her for six days, they did cooling therapy and they constantly monitored her but she never moved. The care they gave us, the nurses, the midwives, the consultant, they were brilliant.
“Despite us losing her they did everything they could and if there were any chance of survival they would have found it.”
As well as equipment Jay hopes the money will help fund emotional, psychological and practical care for families of struggling babies.
He said: “I had my friends and family around me at the time and I’m one of the most optimistic people you could meet but I feel like, for people who struggle with mental health something like this could send them off the rails.”
Jay, who has always been a gym-goer admits he will be going from “couch to marathon” however he is now getting serious about his training. Anyone wishing to sponsor Jay can do so HERE.