Sheffield Children’s Hospital: Izabella’s ‘unplanned adventure’ makes a lasting difference to patients' treatment

Izabella has been admitted to hospital more than 40 times since March 2020. At one point just walking from one room to another would make Izabella feel sick and lose her balance.

In July 2021, she was diagnosed with Chiari malformation and Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), which is where the lower part of the brain pushes down into the spinal canal.

The next month, she had an operation to fit a VP shunt to her head. The procedure required some of her hair to be shaved, which gave Izabella the inspiration to take on a sponsored head shave to say thank you to the staff treating her.

Izabella explained: “I decided to try and raise some money for Ward 5 at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, to say thank you to all the staff for their amazing care and dedication – not just to me, but for all the children who have to come here.”

She was joined in her head shave by family friend Emma, who wished to show her support and how much Izabella is loved, as well as ease any feelings of self-consciousness.

They also took on a sponsored 14-mile walk from her house in Doncaster to Ward 5 and the family have raised an amazing over £3,000, which will be dedicated to the departmental fund.

It is hoped the total can support the purchase of a new accuvein, which will help clinicians introduce a cannula or thin tube into a vein.

Mum Becky added: “All the staff are amazing, they’re so supportive and they explain everything in detail, step-by-step. They are superstars and treat every child and parent with respect.The team at Sheffield Children’s have been amazing.

“I’d like to thank Ward 5, other parents of patients, strangers who read our story and of course our friends and family for the support they have given Ella and our family.”

Abigail Whiting, regional fundraising assistant at The Children’s Hospital Charity added: “On behalf of everyone in the charity team, we would like to say a huge thank you to Izabella, Emma, their family and friends for their incredible fundraising.

To find out more about The Children’s Hospital Charity’s work transforming Sheffield Children’s, visit www.tchc.org.uk