Ava’s pulmonary and aortic arteries had formed the wrong way around. For Ava, this meant that the oxygenated blood meant for her body was being sent in a constant loop through her lungs, while the non-oxygenenated blood that should go to her lungs was being circulated through her body. 

Ava’s mum learnt that she was safe and healthy while she was inside the womb, however the moment she entered the world everything could change. They were warned she might be born with a blue tinge to her skin, struggling to breathe, or fail to cry. The possibilities were endless, and not many were very positive.

However, Ava surprised everyone. 

Ava arrived full term to a delivery room filled with 15 medical staff, all prepared to act in case of an emergency, and yet she was perfectly pink, stable, and screaming loudly. 

“Her strength in that moment was a relief.”

Ava was transferred straight to The Royal Children’s Hospital to keep her stable as she was prepared for open heart surgery. Her arteries, including her tiny, ‘hair-like’ coronary arteries, needed to be switched to their correct positions. 

Four days later, she was wheeled into theatre. The operation was long, but everything went exactly how it needed to be. An extraordinary team of anesthetists, nurses and cardiologists saved little Ava’s life. 

Recently Ava celebrated her first birthday, she is smiling, thriving, and “perfectly plump”. 

“We are endlessly grateful for every person at The Royal Children’s Hospital who cared for her. Because of them, we get to see her beautiful smile every single day.”

Thank you to Ava’s mum Leo for sharing this story with the Good Friday Appeal.