A little girl who was sent home from school with a 'tummy ache' was found to have a rare condition. In December mum Betty was phoned by daughter Esmée's school telling her she needed to be collected.
She had a stomach ache, was vomiting, couldn't keep fluids down and had blood in her urine. After an initial visit to hospital, Betty was told later in the week by a pharmacist that Esmée, six, should be taken back. The family called 999 and paramedics took her to A&E, reports YorkshireLive.
Doctors did blood and urine tests and the results found that her kidneys had failed. Esmée was transferred to intensive care, where she was sedated, ventilated and put on dialysis.
Betty said: “It was a very scary and horrific time for us, but the consultant was so reassuring and professional, so we knew we were in good hands.”
Specialists were called in and Esmée was diagnosed with a very rare genetic disease called Atypical Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (aHUS). The condition sees antibodies attack the body's cells and it can affect any organ.
With the diagnosis made, Esmée was given lifesaving medication called Eculizumab. Within days her condition had improved to the point where she could be transferred to a regular ward.
Esmée was discharged on December 23 and was able to have a Christmas at home with her family. She is now back at school and has been able to restart swimming and football lessons. She continues to receive the lifesaving medicine every two weeks and the family is learning how to live with her condition.
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A group of nine friends and family members have now signed up to take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks in support of The Children’s Hospital Charity to say thank you for the care Esmée received.
Betty, from Rotherham, said: “We initially called them crazy until we decided to be crazy too. Then some of our friends and family decided to join us and we are now a team of nine. The group chat is filled with links of walking boots, screenshots of the walks we are doing and any training tips for this amazing challenge.”
The walkers have dubbed themselves ‘Team Esmée’ and have received donations from friends, family, local football groups and even aHUS patients from as far afield as the USA. They have already raised more than £4,000 to say 'thank you' for Esmée’s care.
The Children’s Hospital Charity has run the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge since 2021, and on Saturday, July 22, supporters of Sheffield Children’s Hospital, where Esmée was first treated, will take on the 25-mile trek once again. They will aim to complete the challenge within 12 hours to become part of the ‘Three Peaks of Yorkshire Club'.
Events fundraising assistant, Phoebe Marriott, said: “Yorkshire Three Peaks is a really special event and it is amazing to see people take on such a big challenge. We are so grateful for the support of Team Esmée; their fundraising will help Sheffield Children’s to continue providing incredible care for children and young people.”
Betty is excited to take on the challenge to give back for the care Esmée received. She said: “Not only have they saved Esmée’s life, but they also looked after us so well and were amazing support during such a traumatic time.”
To support Team Esmée’s fundraising, visit their page here. To join them sign-up for The Children’s Hospital Charity’s Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge yourself.
