Jog a lifeline for heart tot Dexter
Oct 16 2007 By Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail
LITTLE Dexter Shears received a special present from his secret Santas - the gift of life.
It is thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who don Father Christmas outfits in the Hearts First Santa Jog every year that he is alive today.
Dexter, from Moseley, has now reached the age of two despite being born with no vital pulmonary artery in his heart, which meant blood could not reach his lungs.
Surgeons were able to give him a chance at life through operations and techniques developed from research funded by Birmingham's Santa Jog.
His barrister mum Ros Carter today urged runners to take up the one-mile challenge on December 9 in aid of the British Heart Foundation.
Ros said: "Doctors always told us they could do something, but if Dexter had been born 15 years ago, he would have died because the treatment hadn't been developed.
"By the time Dexter was five months old he had already undergone two major heart operations at Birmingham Children's Hospital to put an artery between his heart and lungs, and he will need another when he is five.
"That is why research is so important."
Ms Shears, also mother to Felix, aged seven, and Ruari, four, added: "People think the British Heart Foundation just helps old men with heart disease but the charity does such a lot for children with heart defects too. They helped save Dexter's life and I can't thank them enough."
BRMB DJ Tammy Gooding is hosting the Santa Jog from Centenary Square.
Dr Yotis Senis, a researcher at Birmingham University, is funded by the charity as he works to develop treatment to prevent blood clotting, which can cause heart attacks.
"The money from the British Heart Foundation is essential in research and bringing about new treatments so I hope people will take part in this year's Santa Jog," said Dr Senis.
The Hearts First Santa Jog in aid of British Heart Foundation is a one-mile circuit from Centenary Square, along Broad Street, at 3pm.
The jog costs £10 to enter on http://westevents@bhf.org.uk, www.bhf.org.uk/santajogs or 0800 169 3672. Entrants can also seek sponsors.
Every adult receives a free Santa suit while children can come in festive fancy dress - with a prize for best costume.
