Players from Oxford United took time out from training to help launch a new British Heart Foundation (BHF) appeal, which aims to raise £50,000 to save lives.
The national charity is appealing to the public to support its Mending Broken Hearts Oxford Appeal, with cash raised going towards funding research at the University of Oxford. The project was launched in February 2011, and is based on the extraordinary abilities of the zebrafish.
When the tiny fish's heart is damaged, its heart cells start to regenerate, creating functioning heart tissue. By learning the zebrafish’s secrets, the BHF could trigger this same process in damaged hearts. Professor Paul Riley will be leading the Oxford research team that Lucy Fenner, 25, from Cowley hopes will help her heart condition.
Lucy, along with brothers Jack, 21, and Toby, 18, suffer from Dilated Cardiomyopathy, which causes the heart muscle wall to become thin and floppy and makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood around the body.
It was only when Jack suffered a stroke, aged 18, that he and the rest of the family were diagnosed with the heart condition. Lucy said: “After his stroke, Jack was completely paralysed. He slowly made a reasonable recovery, but unfortunately two-and-a-half years later Jack deteriorated rapidly. Within six weeks, he had an urgent heart transplant.
“The last three years have been the strangest time of our lives. Jack’s stroke and heart transplant still feel like a dream. Watching a healthy, fighting fit young man have his whole life changed because of an unknown heart problem was extremely hard to deal with. Thankfully Jack’s healthy now and we're all so grateful to Harefield where he had his transplant.
“I wish that there was a cure, or that someone could wave a magic wand and my family. We know that Jack’s going to go through this again eventually and maybe even myself and Toby so the work that BHF are doing can't come soon enough. Anything to make the possibility of that not happening to us again, or anyone else would be amazing.”
Jake Wright, captain at Oxford United, said: “The British Heart Foundation encourage a healthy and active lifestyle, which is what we at Oxford United truly believe in. This groundbreaking research could literally begin to mend broken hearts and we’re delighted to be supporting this local appeal. I urge all our fans to get involved in some way, whether it’s a small donation, volunteering or organising a fundraising event.”
To help raise funds or make a donation, call 01905 863181 or email on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
