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Doctor's Christmas song for young heart patients' choir

Annell DyfriBBC Wales
Elusen Hywel Dda Members of the Cân o'r Galon choir on stage singing together on a stage. Elusen Hywel Dda
Cân o'r Galon - Song From The Heart - brings together parents and children affected by heart conditions

A hospital doctor has composed a Christmas song for a choir made up of young heart patients.

Paediatric consultant Dr Sian Jenkins, based at Ysbyty Glangwili, Carmarthen, wrote the song, Pob Un Plentyn (Every Child) and is behind the choir, Cân o'r Galon, which aims to bring together families affected by cardiac problems.

One mother from Pembrokeshire says that the song has helped to "calm her mind" and that it is "nice to have someone to talk to who has been through the same thing".

According to the British Heart Foundation, congenital heart conditions develop when a baby is in the womb and affect one in 140 children a year, with some receiving a diagnosis later in life.

'Terrible time'

Alun, from Pembrokeshire, had just turned two years old when he was diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis - a condition which restricts the flow of blood from the heart.

"He was classed as severe, so we had to rush to Bristol and he was having his operation less than a month later, said Eleri, Alun's mother. "It was all panic stations and a terrible time."

Since then the family has received significant support from Hywel Dda health board's paediatric cardiology service.

Eleri explained that Alun, now six, faces more treatments, but feels that knowing other children and their families going through the same thing has been beneficial.

"It's very lonely at times. It's just nice to have someone to talk to who has been through the same thing," she added.

Alun (left) with his mum and brother. They all look at the camera. They are sat in a room at a table. Alun arms are across the table and his head is lying on top of his arms. He has a blue top on, blue eyes and blonde hair. Eleri has a black top and dark brown hair. On the right is Alun's brother who also has a blue top on, it is a school jumper and he has dark brown, slightly wavy hair.
Eleri says that knowing other children and families going through the same thing as her family with Alun has been beneficial

Dr Jenkins works in the children's ward at Glangwili Hospital.

She says that Cân o'r Galon was formed to celebrate the courage of the children.

The song was a chance to celebrate the sense of community and support for families in west Wales who face the challenges of having children living with congenital heart disease.

Dr Sian Jenkins (left) with two colleagues at the hospital in Carmarthen. She has grey scrubs on and a stethoscope around her neck. She smiles and has blonde hair and glasses. There is a man in the middle who has a light pink shirt on and a lanyard. He also wears glasses. The woman on the right has blonde hair, which is tied up. She is smiling and has blue scrubs on.
Dr Sian Jenkins (left) says the choir formed in order to celebrate the courage of the children

Dr Jenkins added that many of the parents can feel lonely at times, and that the children don't know of anyone else who has received surgery and have a scar on their chest.

The hope is to support more children and families in south Wales who have been affected by the condition.

A group of young lads all in school uniforms, in a classroom. Four of them have guitars and all look and smile at the camera.
Six out of seven of the members of the Coron Moron band, which has accompanied the choir in the song

The band Coron Moron, which formed two years ago in primary school, has provided the backing for the song.

Six of the seven members are pupils at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin.

Davey, 12, said: "It was amazing to be in a room with such brave people, people who have gone through so much. It was amazing to have that experience for us.

Osian, 12, added: "It was a special experience to do it with the choir as well. I think it was a great experience for them too."

"It was really nice to be able to sing with the people who have had heart treatment, and they were really nice talking to each other and talking to us too," said Harri, 11.

Owain, 12, added: "It was very special that they asked us to play a song about Christmas."

Parents have also created a WhatsApp group to support each other.

"When someone has a problem, someone else has seen the same thing and it's just comforting to know that they'll get through it," said Eleri.

"The future worries us all, but science moves forward all the time."

"There's an open invitation to anyone who has a child suffering from a cardiac condition.

"Everyone is welcome to get in touch and be part of the group."

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