Christmas charity campaigns are always important, and this year it’s no different. This Christmas fundraiser is the biggest appeal we’ve ever launched.
This year, we’re aiming to purchase two vital pieces of medical equipment: a flexible bronchoscope and a video laryngoscope. These surgical instruments will enable surgeons to carry out complex operations with fewer complications, removing the need for additional procedures for patients who’ve already endured so much.
Meet Abdul – First in Line for Surgery With the New Equipment
Abdul is our first patient scheduled to benefit from this new equipment. He has a non-malignant ossifying fibroma – a benign tumour, but one that grows steadily and aggressively. In Abdul’s case, the tumour has expanded so much that it has severely disfigured his mouth and left him struggling to chew and swallow. Over time, this has led to dangerous levels of malnutrition, putting both his health and his life at risk.
The first phase of Abdul’s care has already begun. A nasogastric feeding tube has been inserted so he can take in enough nutrients, calories, and protein to rebuild his strength. Improving his blood levels – including his haemoglobin and albumin is essential for reducing the risks associated with major surgery.
The next stage will be the maxillofacial surgery to remove the tumour, performed by maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Kamulegeya,. This operation will restore Abdul’s ability to eat, speak, and live without pain or stigma.
The Equipment
Flexible Bronchoscope
A flexible bronchoscope is a slender, camera-equipped instrument that allows surgeons to see deep into the airways — a lifeline for diagnosing and managing airway blockages or deformities in children. It’s essential for safe intubation and post-surgical care.
With this tool, Dr. Kamulegega will be able to:
- Examine and treat airway obstructions in young patients
- Perform safer and more effective surgeries
- Provide better long-term outcomes for children who might otherwise struggle to breathe normally
Video Laryngoscope
A video laryngoscope provides a clear, magnified view of the vocal cords and airway during intubation — a crucial step before surgery. This equipment greatly reduces the risk of complications and improves safety, especially in children whose anatomy can make standard procedures challenging.
In similar operations, Dr. Kamulegeya has sometimes been forced to perform invasive tracheotomies (cutting a surgical airway in the neck) simply because the clinic did not have the appropriate equipment to safely manage the airway during surgery. These additional procedures carry their own risks, extend recovery time, and increase the chance of complications.
By purchasing a flexible bronchoscope and video laryngoscope, we can dramatically reduce these risks. These devices allow the surgical team to manage a patient’s airway with far greater precision and safety, avoiding unnecessary tracheotomies and enabling smoother, safer surgeries for patients like Abdul.
How you can get involved
Every December we team up with XNRG for our Christmas charity campaign, and this year it’s a virtual run covering quite the distance!
From the 1st to 24th December, we’re racing from the XNRG HQ in Amersham, to the Platinum Hospital in Uganda. Together, we’ll be covering nearly 10,000 km with special challenges and prizes along the way!
You can record your distance automatically through Strava, Garmin, Polar, Suunto or Fitbit, or you can add your distances manually if you don’t have any of these services.
Whether you do 50km or 300km in 24 days you will see your progress on the leaderboard as you work through the different distance medals. The entry fee is just £15, 100% of which will go to the equipment we’re hoping to get.
Why not get your family and friends involved, to create a bit of competition, to see who can go the furthest in 24 days!?
If you can’t (or wont!) run, you can still donate directly to the Christmas Campaign. From £5 – the price of some fancy wrapping paper – you can contribute towards purchasing the equipment.
To find out more and sign up, click here.