Fundraiser Spotlight- Luca Frederico
31 March 2023
Luca Federico was born on 10 January 2003, 5pm at St Peters Hospital in Surrey at 35 weeks old. He was only 4lbs when he was born and through attempts of trying to feed him and a scan, it was quickly identified that he had a portion of his oesophagus missing and an extra connection to his windpipe.
This condition had to be corrected immediately by surgery, something that St Peters were unable to undertake and so they therefore started contacting other hospitals who they knew would be able to operate. Luca said, ‘We were extremely lucky that St George’s Hospital, which is relatively close by, had one space left on their neonatal unit and I was transferred by blue light that evening.’
After numerous scans and consultations, Luca’s condition was diagnosed, and he is now known as a TOF & OA child (Tracheo Oesophageal Fistula & Oesophageal Atresia). He was operated on on day two and stayed at St George’s for two weeks before being transferred back to his local hospital.
Luca said, ‘As time has gone by, I have been a regular visitor to St Georges, having appointments for my condition and for asthma which I also developed. I have also just taken part in research for my condition with the surgeons at St Georges.’
‘My family and I owe a lot to St Georges, the care, expertise and medical knowledge that we have been given not just to myself but my parents also, and that is why I am taking on the London Landmarks Half Marathon.’
We wish Luca the best of luck and you can support his amazing fundraising efforts here www.justgiving.com/fundraising/luca-federico
See you at the finish line Luca!
