Sunderland Royal has one the first digital X-ray machines suitable for newborn babies in Europe thanks to a £70,000 fundraising campaign.
The fundraising was led by the family of a little girl whose life was saved after two holes in her heart were found shortly after her birth.
Luna Petrucci is now nine, but as a baby her life was in the balance - doctors described her heart as a "ticking time bomb". But after successful surgery, she's living a healthy, happy life. Inspired by her recovery, Sunderland-based parents Sergio and Emma set up the Red Sky Foundation - and the charity has presented an astonishing bit of kit to doctors in Sunderland this week.
On the suggestion of Dr Majd Abu-Harb - who diagnosed Luna's illness - the family-led charity has raised the cash to donate a Fujifilm FDR Nano to the hospital trust. This is a mobile X-ray scanner that is lighter and more flexible than previously available machines.
Sergio, 46, spoke of how his daughter's story had inspired the donation and the fundraising. He said: "When the paediatrician came around and listened to Luna’s heart, they could hear an echo, so they did a scan and Dr Abu-Harb picked up holes in her heart.
"It was hoped they would heal themselves, but during routine check-ups, we were told by cardiologists they were really worried about her and they said her condition was a ticking time bomb. Five days short of her second birthday she was rushed into the Freeman Hospital and underwent surgery.
“The charity grew from that experience and we contacted Dr Abu-Harb to ask how we could help and he suggested this machine. He said he would love one of these to help the babies in the unit, and so we said yes, we asked how much it would be and then got to work on the fundraising.
“I’m immensely proud we’ve been able to do this for the unit, it’s something we’ve wanted to see happen and we hope it helps other children from South Tyneside and Sunderland like Luna so they can get the treatment they need."
Sergio thanked everyone who had supported the charity, and corporate partners, for their help in securing the new machine.
Consultant Imran Ahmed, who leads the Sunderland neonatal unit, said: “We are very grateful to the Red Sky Foundation and Fujifilm as we welcome this X-ray machine to our neonatal unit. It can be a worrying time for families when their baby is in need our care and the start of treatment is very important as we do everything we can to help our patients thrive.
"We’re pleased to become one of the first in the Europe to have this equipment. Seeing it in action is fantastic and we know it will help us for many years to come."
The new technology can be moved into places traditional X-ray machines struggle to reach, and this can mean quicker diagnoses and less stress for families.
The Red Sky Foundation's fundraising has also been backed by Fujifilm and the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust's STS Charity.
Since launching the charity, the couple, who are also parents to Enzo, 13, and their charity have raised more than £700,000 to fund life-saving equipment, training and education. To find out more about the Red Sky Foundation, visit redskyfoundation,com.
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