RCF Host Clubs

Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire 2015

Rotary Club of Sherborne Castles, District 1200

The Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity

Sherborne Train Station, Sherborne, Dorset

14 December 2016

John Buckley - President Elect RC Sherborne Castles

Michaela Chown - Great Ormond Street Charity Ambassador

Michaela Chown, the Great Ormond Street Charity Ambassador, became an Ambassador in order to help give back a little something following all the amazing treatment her daughter Jessica has received over the course of the past 16 years.

As the family are now living on the outskirts of Exeter she has to regularly travel backwards and forwards by train to London with her daughter for treatment at GOSH. Sometimes she has to do this frequently whilst at other times less often, depending on Jessica’s condition.

Following her birth Jessica was diagnosed with a rare condition called Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome [BRBNS] one of only 200 reported cases in the world’s literature. BRBNS causes vascular malformations to form pretty much anywhere in the body and can cause chronic disability. This has necessitated long periods of care and many operations in GOSH over the years. Among the many surgeries and interventions she required major bowel surgery in December 2011 to slow down internal bleeding that necessitated frequent blood transfusions. The surgery was a first for GOSH and was a great success.

Jessica is no longer confined to a wheelchair, having come out of it in February. She is currently at home, attends a local school and is without the need for any medicines.

Following Michaela’s latest trip to GOSH to attend their annual Christmas party she stopped off in Sherborne to receive the donation on behalf of GOSH before boarding the following train back to her home near Exeter.