THE family of a Barnsley youngster who was diagnosed with congenital heart disease when he was a baby are encouraging locals to support the charity which helped him.
Six-year-old Penistone lad Knox Brisland was diagnosed with congenital heart disease when he was just six weeks old, and was supported by the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund during his subsequent treatment at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit.
Dani Brisland, Knox’s mum, is encouraging people to help support the charity.
She said: “The diagnosis was picked up when he was about six weeks old.
“We have a family history of CHD on my husband’s side that only affects males, he was checked and it was confirmed.
“The process of surgery and all the care on ward 51, the high dependency unit and intensive care was second to none, both for Knox and the support for myself.
“He had an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) closure and was back home five days post open heart surgery.
“His recovery has been amazing and he is like a different child - he never stops.
“CHSF was amazing in providing food vouchers, a room for us to stay in when Knox was in the intensive care and high dependency units, and through overall support.”
Knox is now practising taekwondo three times a week, amongst other sports, and Dani says his treatment and care has transformed him.
“Knox is like a different child these days it’s amazing to see, before he was quiet, and always physically and mentally worn out - often looking grey,” she said.
“Now he is something else - endless energy, always the last to go to sleep, hungry and full of beans.
“Taking part in taekwondo three times a week and swimming once a week.”
Hundreds of individuals, families, schools and businesses across the region are taking part in Wear Red Day for CHSF to raise both money for the charity and awareness of congenital heart disease (CHD).
Dani is encouraging others to get involved.
A spokesperson for the charity added: “CHSF works to empower patients of all ages in their journey with congenital heart disease (CHD) - as babies, children, teenagers and throughout adulthood, and provides a holistic family support service at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit (LCHU).
“Babies born with heart disease from Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, North Lincolnshire and the Humber are often urgently treated at the LCHU in the first months, weeks or even days of their lives.
“CHSF family support includes wellbeing, practical and financial assistance for families, and donations also provide vital resources and services including parent accommodation, life-saving medical equipment and NHS staffing.”
Anyone wishing to donate or get involved with the charity should follow the link: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/wear-red-day-2025
