About

Team Members: Martin McDonald, Anne Meegan, Gavin Sexton, Jason Shalloe, Gavin O'Leary and Niamh Griffin

Club member Niamh Griffin is mum to Lexie who is 10 years old. Lexie was born with 5 heart defects (CHD) and had her first heart surgery at just two hours old. Lexie has faced many challenges ever since. Lexie is a bright, smart, joyous little girl, for a child that has had such a hard road she sings, she dances, she runs and you would never know any difference. 

If you have the honor to know her, she brightens up the day with a smile. She is an amazing happy 10-year-old with more battles to face but will face them head-on like the warrior that she and her mum are. 

Lexie's Story

At Niamh‘s 20 week scan she was told that her baby had a form of congenital heart disease. She was told that Lexie was not compatible with life. This was not an option for Niamh. 

Lexie was born at 2:32 blue and rushed to Crumlin hospital where her diagnosis was a lot worse than they had first thought.

Lexie had FIVE heart defects •TGA•ASD•VSD•PDA•LVOTO

Not a single person in Europe had been born with so these five CHD conditions, so Niamh was told they had to take things day by day. 

Lexie had her first surgery at 2 hours old and then again at 8 days old where her kidneys were failing, and she was put on dialysis and an external pacemaker. The surgery lasted 11 hours, but she pulled through and was given a two-lead pacemaker.

At 2 months old she had her first bottle and at 3 months old she finally went home.

At 5 months old she caught an infection and went into cardiac arrest which led to liver failure and another surgery which led to a three-lead pacemaker.

Each time Lexie has fought hard and pulled through.  Niamh was told Lexie would never walk or talk, and each day was a blessing, if you’ve met Lexie, you know, she loves talking and singing!

Lexie was then diagnosed with autism and sensory processing disorder. When Lexie was 4 one of her pacemaker leads snapped and was back to surgery again.

This surgery took a bad turn when they tried to turn off the machines she went into cardiac arrest again. This led to surgery where they removed the valve and replaced it. 

When Lexie was 8 years old the doctors discovered a medication that would help and she went back to loving life. Lexie is struggling a bit at the moment and is waiting for more tests. 

Niamh and Lexie got involved with the charity Heart Children and have helped to raise thousands of euro to date by selling the annual Calendar will Lexie will be featuring in again this year. Niamh has ran various events with the generous support of St Marks Schools. 

Funds raised from the St Mark's Abseil will be going to the Heart Children Play Therapy Fund. Play therapy provides invaluable support to children born with congenital heart disease. It offers a safe and nurturing environment for emotional expression, skill-building, improved communication, and empowerment. By incorporating play therapy into the holistic care of children with congenital heart disease, we can help promote their emotional well-being, resilience, and overall quality of life.

Heart Children provides Play Therapy to children with CHD and to their siblings as lifelong conditions like CHD affect all the family. Heart Childrens mission is to support people with congenital heart disease to live confidently, stay well, and enjoy life to its fullest.

Thank you for your support.