My name is Míde and I have a congenital heart condition – I was born with Transposition of the Great Arteries and had major heart surgery as a baby. I am running 30 Miles during the month of February to fundraise for a wonderful charity that is very close to my heart. I am a member of Heart Children Ireland, and as a young adult with congenital heart disease, I am acutely aware of how important it is to families and patients. As a “heart child” I am so grateful to be able to run and it is time for me to lace up my running shoes and raise some money for this great charity.

I had open heart surgery, the Senning / Mustard operation in Crumlin’s Children’s Hospital in February 1991, carried out by the late Mr Maurice Nelligan. The surgery involved re-routing of the blood flow in my heart so that my right ventricle pumps blood around the body while my left ventricle now pumps to the lungs (the opposite of normal hearts). The surgery was successful, and I recovered well. I attend the adult congenital heart clinic in the Mater hospital.

I have remained well, and I have been able to live a happy, fulfilling and normal life. From Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, I am a junior doctor working in Glasgow. Having seen many poorer outcomes from a variety of congenital heart conditions as a doctor, I realise just how privileged and fortunate I am.

I am a keen runner and regularly run 5-10 km without breaking too much of a sweat! I will never be entering or winning the Olympics but I’ve come to accept that now; the joy of running is enough for me at the moment. Sport has played a bit part in my life and I am incredibly lucky that I can continue to enjoy it - long may that continue.

 While I’m very well at the moment the future remains somewhat uncertain and I could encounter complications in later life. With this in mind, I try to live the most fulfilling life I can, and I am always grateful for what I can do. Who knows what the future holds.

 Having a child diagnosed with a congenital heart condition can be an overwhelming experience and a very frightening time for parents. Having the support of the HCI can be a great help to many families. Parents, children and young adults can access the Psychological Support Service funded by HCI. They have also purchased life saving equipment both for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and for the Adult Congenital Heart Clinic at the Mater Hospital. With great advances in medicine in recent decades, more children are now living with congenital heart disease than ever before. Heart Children Ireland relies solely on the donations from the public and receives no government funding . As someone who has benefited so much from advances in cardiology myself, I am delighted to be able to support this great organisation and I would love if you could support it in any way too.

Míde Duff