Family of cystic fibrosis patient make plea to support Leeds Hospitals charity in your Will

When Rufus was born with cystic fibrosis, it was the specialist staff at Leeds Children’s Hospital who got him back home with his family. Will you help to keep more families together by remembering Leeds Hospitals Charity in your Will?
Ad Feature by Leeds Hospitals Charity
Published 29th Dec 2023, 07:00 GMT
Yorkshire family are headlining an appeal to fund vital support for patients like little Rufus. Picture by Simon WiffenYorkshire family are headlining an appeal to fund vital support for patients like little Rufus. Picture by Simon Wiffen
Yorkshire family are headlining an appeal to fund vital support for patients like little Rufus. Picture by Simon Wiffen

You’d never guess just how much baby Rufus has been through in his 16 months of life.

Even before he was born, Rufus was unwell. At his mum’s 34-week scan, a blockage was detected in his bowel. And just minutes after entering the world, he was taken off for scans. It was cystic fibrosis, and the blockage needed to be removed. Urgently.

At just 30-hours old, Rufus underwent a five-hour operation to save his life. Thankfully, all went well and the signs were positive…until Rufus got sepsis. His temperature soared, along with his heartbeat, and he needed round-the-clock breathing support for five days.

“Leeds Hospital’s Cystic Fibrosis Team gave us hope at every stage, through everything. They are incredible.” Picture by Simon Wiffen“Leeds Hospital’s Cystic Fibrosis Team gave us hope at every stage, through everything. They are incredible.” Picture by Simon Wiffen
“Leeds Hospital’s Cystic Fibrosis Team gave us hope at every stage, through everything. They are incredible.” Picture by Simon Wiffen

Ben recalls seeing Rufus’ pulse escalate from 180 to 320 beats per minute. He said: “‘I've never seen four doctors move into a room as quickly.”

It was such a frightening and traumatic time for the family.

But the cystic fibrosis team pulled together to get Rufus stable enough to go home.

And since October 2022 he has been kept at home, free of admissions through the support from his team, with his mum, dad and big brother Henry.

Thinking about the support the family received, Ben said: “It was interesting to find out that some of the cystic fibrosis support was made possible thanks to someone’s Will. We'd have been lost without that team during his stay (and after!).”

How you can lend your support

You too can help a local family like Rufus’ in their hour of greatest need. By remembering Leeds Hospitals Charity in your Will, you could fund researchers in their search for life-changing treatments for cystic fibrosis or help to upgrade crucial equipment and hospital rooms. Together, we can go above and beyond the care and support that our local NHS service offers.

Find out more about remembering Leeds Hospitals Charity in your Will today. Find out more at www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/legacy

Charity number is 1170369

Related topics:RufusNHS