A 14-month-old child has been scheduled for life-saving heart surgery after his mother successfully raised nearly £1.5 million for his medical treatment in the United States. Jasmin Roberts, the mother, has been advocating to gather the funds for her son, who was born with a rare and intricate heart condition known as pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (PA-VSD MAPCAs). Without the necessary surgery, Ollie’s life expectancy could be less than two years.
The crucial £1.5 million was required to cover the cost of the life-saving operation at the premier center in Stanford, USA, specialized in Ollie’s condition, as the NHS in the UK only offers palliative care. Currently, over 90% of the total funds needed have been raised, allowing Jasmin to secure a surgery date at the Stanford medical facility after surpassing the 75% milestone. Upon reaching 100% of the target, the surgery will proceed as planned, with Ollie set for the operation on January 23, 2026.
Expressing her relief, Jasmin shared with the Mirror, “I can see the finish line, and I’ll be relieved when the fundraising is concluded so I can finally relax. I’m optimistic, but I don’t want to tempt fate as raising £100,000 is still a substantial amount.” Ollie’s story gained widespread attention on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, resulting in a remarkable 81,000 donations from various individuals. Notable contributions included £10,000 from Hollywood actor and Wrexham FC co-owner Ryan Reynolds and £110,000 from Scottish author Leigh Rivers, with an additional £15,000 from an anonymous donor.
Jasmin expressed gratitude to the public for their overwhelming support in almost reaching the £1.4 million milestone. Initially a daunting task, she marveled at the community’s unity in saving a young boy’s life. Ollie’s surgery, consisting of a two-step heart repair procedure, aims to provide him with a healthy and normal life. The initial phase will be conducted in Stanford, followed by the NHS taking charge of the subsequent procedure.
Jasmin emphasized the need for the full funding before the surgery can proceed, urging for one final push of support to close this chapter. She acknowledged the public’s generosity and belief in the cause, stating, “Thank you for every contribution and share of support. We are on the brink of success.”
To contribute to Baby Ollie’s life-saving surgery fundraiser on GoFundMe, visit the campaign link.
