Story

Sharron's Story

Shannon ran the London Marathon 2024 for Heart Research UK.

In 2018, Shannon learned during her 20-week scan that her son, Ronnie, had congenital heart disease with heart displacement. Doctors were uncertain about the implications for him.

Ronnie was born at 37 weeks and diagnosed with five serious heart conditions requiring urgent care. He spent his first week in NICU before transferring to another hospital, where he underwent two major heart surgeries over six weeks.

The early days were difficult for Shannon, as Ronnie was placed in NICU immediately after birth, and she struggled with being separated from him and missing the newborn stage. Ronnie was on multiple medications, and the family faced the emotional challenge of his surgery and recovery.

Today, Ronnie is a happy and boisterous five-year-old attending school. Although healthy, he continues to be monitored by doctors. He understands he has a special heart and faces medical appointments with resilience.

Shannon is committed to fighting heart disease in support of Ronnie and the medical teams who saved him. She dedicates herself to fundraising for Heart Research UK to help others affected by heart conditions.

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