Tristan, AKA ‘The Best Ever’ had an incredibly complex condition, but it did not define him. He loved life, he loved his family and he loved Toy Story (especially Woody!). Tristan sadly passed away aged just two and half following complications from one of his many surgeries. His mummy and daddy with the help of family and friends (Team Tristan) continue to keep his memory alive by supporting Team 1c in their fundraising.
Evans Born with a hole in his heart
4th February 2019
Jake Cathcart BCyA
9th February 2019Tristan Elijah Campbell
#TheBestEver
10th April 2015 – 30th January 2018
The first ever Team 1c camp was named after Tristan and he will always have a special place in our hearts. Tristan’s ‘Best Ever camp’ took place in Karimnagar, India on 11-17th March 2018 and provided life saving heart surgery for 13 children.
Tristan was born with a rare heart condition called Heterotaxy Syndrome – a condition in which the internal organs are abnormally arranged in the chest and abdomen. This didn’t get in the way of Tristan having an adventurous life – life to the full.
You wouldn’t know from looking at him, but his heart was back to front and on the wrong side of his body. It had multiple complex defects, which effectively meant that he only had half a heart. And to add to his health complications, many of his other organs were either misplaced or missing. He was a real Picasso of creation.
We were given a 50-50 chance of survival to the age of 5. Thanks to the incredible team at Alder Hey, Tristan was given a fighting chance at life.
Unfortunately the struggle was too much following his third open heart surgery and Tristan passed away on 30th January 2018.
He only made it half way, but he did it in style and has left every life he touched blessed with his joy. Up to this point it was Tristan – a 2 and a half year old boy – who showed us his parents, how to do life! He loved every second of it. He was a happy, chatty boy who was full of excitement. There was no stopping him from having fun. He truly was THE BEST EVER.
We are eternally grateful for the NHS and the people who work for it, especially all those on ICU at Alder Hey.
The first Stars and Stripes ball was held just weeks after Tristan died. We were blown away when Dr Ram announced that the first camp sponsored by Team 1c would be named in his honour:
To know that 13 operations took place, that 12 Children’s lives were saved – that families could be whole and enjoy a future together, gave us so much strength and hope at a time when we needed it most. Those families would never need to know the pain we have, thanks to Team 1c and Healing Little Hearts.
Tristan’s broken body would never have been suitable for organ donation, but through his death he has still saved lives. Through the incredible work of the team who went out in his name, and the fundraising we will continue to do for both Alder Hey and Healing Little Hearts – he has given life, but more than that, he has shared his joy.
#teamTristan #bestever
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