A young girl from Lancaster who was born with a life-threatening congenital heart condition has been honoured at the British Heart Foundation’s Heart Hero Awards.
19-month-old Orla Wray was diagnosed with a condition where her aorta and pulmonary artery are connected to the heart’s right ventricle (chamber) instead of the left ventricle, meaning the right side of the heart has to do the work of both sides.
At just one week old, Orla underwent open heart surgery to save her life. She has been a vital part of Alder Hey’s innovative Little Hearts at Home digital monitoring programme – a platform designed to support families of children with complex heart needs.
Orla is living with double-outlet left ventricle (DOLV), a rare congenital heart condition. She has been a vital part of Alder Hey’s innovative Little Hearts at Home digital monitoring programme – a platform designed to support families of children with complex heart needs.
Now, as Alder Hey and BHF begin developing the next phase, The Parental Portal, Orla and her family will play a key role in shaping its future through active involvement in focus groups. This type of input ensures this technology truly meets the needs of families.
Orla was presented with her award by CBBC’s Dr Dan and Dr Raph Olaiya at a ceremony this week hosted by broadcaster Vernon Kay.
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the BHF, said: said: “The Heart Hero Awards shine a light on the most heartening stories — from those who raise vital funds, teach lifesaving skills, campaign for change, and lead pioneering BHF-funded research.
"The incredible and generous contributions of people like Orla’s family are helping us to achieve our vision of a world free from the fear of cardiovascular disease – which claims the life of a loved one in the UK every three minutes.
"BHF-funded research has already saved countless lives, but our job is far from done. The more we can discover, through the public’s generosity, the more lives we can save and improve — and give families many more Christmases together.”
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