The parents of a two-year-old boy who died suddenly from a rare heart condition are determined to honour his memory by raising money for defibrillators in their community.
A happy and healthy boy
Leo McFadyen was a happy and healthy boy who loved playing with his older brother and sister. He had no signs or symptoms of any health problems until he collapsed at home in Dumfries on February 23, 2023.
His parents, Gemma and Scott McFadyen, performed CPR on him until the paramedics arrived, but sadly he could not be revived. He was pronounced dead at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.
A post-mortem examination revealed that Leo had a rare and undiagnosed heart condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), which causes the heart muscle to become thin and fibrous, and prone to abnormal rhythms.
A legacy of love
Leo’s parents were devastated by the loss of their son, but they decided to channel their grief into something positive. They set up a fundraising page in Leo’s name, with the aim of raising enough money to buy and install defibrillators in schools, nurseries, and community centres in Dumfries and Galloway.
A defibrillator is a device that can deliver an electric shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm in case of a cardiac arrest. It can increase the chances of survival by up to 75% if used within the first few minutes.
Gemma and Scott hope that by providing more defibrillators in their area, they can help save the lives of other children and adults who may suffer from a sudden cardiac arrest.
They also want to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of ARVC, and the importance of screening and testing for heart conditions in young people.
A community’s support
The fundraising page, which was launched on March 1, 2023, has already received more than £10,000 in donations from friends, family, and strangers who were touched by Leo’s story.
The page also features photos and videos of Leo, as well as messages of support and condolence from the donors.
One of the donors wrote: “Such a beautiful boy taken too soon. Well done for turning such a tragedy into something that will help others. Leo will be so proud of you both.”
Another donor wrote: “I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine what you are going through. You are amazing parents for doing this in Leo’s memory. He will never be forgotten.”
Gemma and Scott have expressed their gratitude for the generosity and kindness of the people who have donated to their cause. They said: “We are overwhelmed by the response we have had. We can’t thank everyone enough for their donations and messages. It means so much to us and to Leo’s legacy.”
They added: “We miss Leo every day, but we know he is watching over us and smiling. He was such a special boy who brought so much joy to everyone who knew him. We will always love him and remember him.”
