On 27 April, I’m running the TCS London Marathon to raise funds for TOFS, a UK charity supporting people born with oesophageal atresia (OA) and tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TOF)—two rare conditions affecting 1 in 4000 newborns. Our son Tomás was that ‘1’ baby and underwent major surgery at just 48 hours old.
Learning about his condition after birth was a shock. A doctor advised me not to search online, but of course, I did—and that’s how I found TOFS. Their resources and community transformed how I approached a scary situation, empowering me as Tomás’ carer and advocate.
Nowadays most children with OA/TOF lead relatively normal lives, but there is still much to learn regarding why OA/TOF happens, the surgery, and its lifelong effects such as swallowing difficulties, choking risks, severe reflux, recurrent chest infections, and increased chances of oesophageal cancer.
We’re grateful Tomás is thriving, but OA/TOF isn’t a linear journey. As he grows, the TOFS charity remains a crucial source of support.
Any donation is deeply appreciated!
Rita
You can learn more about OA/TOF here
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