Carlanstown boy’s heart journey inspires family fundraiser

A young boy from Carlanstown who underwent life-saving open-heart surgery as a newborn is inspiring his family and local community to continue raising funds for Children’s Health Foundation and the Heart Centre at CHI Crumlin.

Freddie Meehan, now almost three years old, has already endured two major heart surgeries after being diagnosed before birth with truncus arteriosus, a rare congenital heart defect.

His mother, Shauna Meehan, recalled the shock of learning about Freddie’s condition during her 20-week pregnancy scan.

“As first-time parents, we hadn’t a clue what to expect,” she said. “You hear words you’ve never heard before and suddenly your whole world changes.”

Following the diagnosis, Shauna and her husband Andy attended further testing and specialist appointments before Freddie was born.

“When he arrived, everything happened very quickly,” she explained. “He was taken by ambulance straight to Crumlin while I was still recovering in hospital. That was probably one of the hardest parts, being separated from your newborn baby.”

At just four days old, Freddie underwent open-heart surgery at CHI Crumlin.

Despite the seriousness of the procedure, the Carlanstown youngster amazed doctors with his recovery and was home within two weeks.

However, another challenge followed months later when specialists discovered further concerns with his pulmonary artery.

Freddie underwent a second open-heart surgery at 10 months old — only weeks before Shauna and Andy’s wedding.

“We were due to get married in May and his operation was in April,” Shauna said. “Thankfully, once again he bounced back and was home after six days. We were so grateful that he was able to be there with us on our wedding day.”

Today, Freddie is thriving and enjoys the same things as many boys his age — especially tractors.

“He’s obsessed with tractors,” Shauna laughed. “You’d never know looking at him now everything he’s been through.”

Freddie has also embraced his role as big brother to baby Sophie.

“He absolutely adores her,” Shauna said. “He’s always checking on her and making sure she’s okay.”

The family’s experience at Crumlin inspired them to begin fundraising for Children’s Health Foundation and the hospital’s Heart Centre.

For the past three years, Shauna, her mother Mary and extended family members have taken part in the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon to raise funds for the cause.

“My mum had always done the Mini Marathon, but after Freddie’s surgeries we knew exactly where we wanted the money to go,” Shauna said.

“The staff in Crumlin were unbelievable. They explained everything in simple terms and supported us through every stage of it.”

The wider family and community have also rallied behind the fundraising efforts.

“My dad is 71 and still brings sponsor cards into work every year,” she said. “Friends and neighbours are always so generous and supportive.”

This year, Shauna and her mother are again taking part virtually while caring for baby Sophie.

Reflecting on Freddie’s journey, Shauna said she hopes sharing their story might help reassure other parents facing similar diagnoses.

“The biggest thing I’d say is don’t Google everything,” she said. “You can scare yourself so much. Trust the medical teams and lean on the people around you.”

She also hopes the family’s fundraising can help support future families arriving at Crumlin during the most difficult moments of their lives.

“Even if it’s a small amount raised, it all makes a difference,” she said. “You never know what child or family it might help next.”

Readers wishing to support the Meehan family’s fundraiser for Children’s Health Foundation can donate online through their fundraising page here