Elliot's Touch was set up in 2015 by Donna and Paul Stevens following the death of their baby son Elliot to Mitochondrial Disease and Cardiomyopathy.
When Elliot became seriously unwell in late 2014, he was treated at his local hospital, Musgrove Park in Taunton where he suffered several cardiac arrests. After stabilising him, he was taken to Bristol Children's Hospital, which provided expert cardiology care, and it was here that the doctors suspected he was suffering from a genetic illness that had affected his heart. He was transferred to The Flamingo Ward at Great Ormond Street (GOSH) in London on 1 January 2015 and placed on the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) which provides intensive care specifically for children with conditions involving the heart, lungs or airways. Elliot underwent four successful but brutal operations and the medical team fought valiantly for three months, but after the fifth procedure he suffered complications and passed away on March 3rd 2015.
Following his death, Elliot's family began raising money for the Wallace and Gromit Grand Appeal at Bristol Children's Hospital. Within a short time, an incredible amount of money had been raised, and Donna and Paul realised what phenomenal support they had from family, friends and the local community. They decided to set up a charity in Elliot's name to help fund equipment and research in children's wards and specialist hospitals, particularly those dealing with complex and rare diseases. They called the charity Elliot's Touch, knowing that their little son had inspired so many people with his smile, his warmth and his fighting spirit.
Donna and Paul were desperate to find out more about mitochondrial disease which they knew so little about, but they were also compelled to help the medical professionals to be able to identify these conditions earlier and treat them more swiftly to improve outcomes for patients. To date, Elliot's Touch has raised almost £200,000, which has been put towards vital equipment in hospitals, and is supporting specific research projects at The Royal Brompton Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London (which is working in collaboration with GOSH and The Mitochondrial Research Group).
Elliot was our hero, our inspiration, he could always light up a room with his gorgeous smile and big blue eyes. We were so proud of him and his determination to live. We want to do him proud and keep his memory alive.
Donna and Paul Stevens.