Devoted dad takes on Royal Parks Half Marathon in aid of hospital that saved his daughter's life

Devoted: Kester Mein, left, is running the Royal Parks Half Marathon to raise money for the hospital where his daughter Rosie, bottom, underwent a heart transplant
Kester Mein
Hannah Al-Othman23 July 2016

A devoted dad is lacing up his running shoes to raise money for the London hospital that saved his daughter's life.

Kester Mein, a 42 year old Quantity Surveyor from Bexley Village, is taking on the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon on October 9 to raise money for Evelina hospital, where his 9-year-old daughter Rosie underwent a heart transplant procedure.

In November Rosie was rushed to Darent Valley Hospital children’s ward after suffering with energy loss, shortened breath, blue lips and pains in her legs.

At the hospital it became apparent that she was seriously ill, and she was transferred quickly to Evelina Hospital, where she was rushed into emergency surgery to release the build up of fluid around her stomach.

Mr Mein said: “At this stage my daughter was deteriorating slowly. Her persona, which was previously happy and playful, was rapidly going downhill.

"Rosie remained in the Evelina Intensive Care unit for three weeks, and moved to a ward on December 3.

Surgery: Kester Mein with daughter Rosie and wife Kate, in hospital ten days after Rosie's operation
Kester Mein

“Just before Rosie’s move to the ward, we found out she was suffering from Dilated Cardiomyopathy; (DCM) is a condition in which the heart's ability to pump blood is decreased because the heart's main pumping chamber, the left ventricle, is enlarged and weakened.

"This was effectively the end of the world for us as parents. We agreed Rosie would be placed on the transplant list, and knew deep down that this was the best action we could take to give our daughter the greatest chance of living.”

During this emotional time, Rosie’s sisters – Emily aged 14, and Georgia aged 12 - were living at their grandparents, whilst Rosie’s mum Kate, lived in the hospital with her.

The Mein family received the news on January 10 – one month after Rosie was put on the transplant list – that a donor heart had become available.

Rosie was taken to GOSH the same day, where the heart was successfully transplanted.

Mr Mein said: “The strength and determination from Rosie was simply unbelievable and very inspiring. She recovered well, and was sent home on January 25.

“Rosie is now back at school and her life is beginning to return to normal. Although Rosie is getting stronger each day, mentally she is having issues coming to terms with what has happened to her, which is to be expected. GOSH are helping us all to adjust to the changes.”

His wife added: “I am so thankful to all the doctors and nurses at the Evelina Hospital who always tried to make Rosie and myself as comfortable as possible; especially around Christmas and New Year, when we both found it very difficult being away from family and friends.

“I am also very grateful for the support and care we have received, and are still receiving, from the doctors and nurses at GOSH. Rosie still attends regular checkups every few weeks, and has been admitted a couple of times for treatment for Rejection and CMV.

“We, as a family will always be very grateful to Rosie’s donor and their family for the giving Rosie the gift of life. They are always in our thoughts.”

Mr Mein will be joining more than 16,000 runners on the start line, and hopes to raise £1,000 for Evelina Hospital, with his fundraising currently standing at more than £700.

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