A 14-month-old child has been scheduled for life-saving heart surgery after his mother gets closer to reaching a substantial £1.5 million goal for medical treatment in the United States.
Jasmin Roberts, the mother, has been actively fundraising to secure £1.5 million for her young son, who was born with a rare and intricate heart condition. This condition, referred to as pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (PA-VSD MAPCAs), could severely limit Ollie’s life expectancy to under two years without the necessary surgery.
Jasmin required the £1.5 million to cover the costs of crucial surgery at Stanford, USA, which houses the world’s leading facility specializing in Ollie’s condition. Due to the unavailability of this surgery within the NHS, where only palliative care is offered, Jasmin sought external funding.
Currently, Ollie’s mother has gathered over 90% of the total required amount for the surgery. Surpassing the 75% milestone enabled Jasmin to secure a surgery date at the Stanford medical center. Once the full 100% funding is achieved, the surgery will proceed as planned.
Today, she received confirmation that Ollie’s surgery is scheduled for January 23, 2026.
In an interview with the Mirror, Jasmin expressed her relief, stating, “I can see the finish line and I’ll be relieved when the fundraiser concludes, allowing me to take a breath.
“Although I’m optimistic, raising even £100,000 is a significant achievement. So, while I am hopeful, I am cautious not to tempt fate.”
Ollie’s story gained traction on TikTok and Instagram, leading to a remarkable 81,000 donations from various individuals. Contributions included £10,000 from Hollywood actor and Wrexham FC co-owner Ryan Reynolds and £110,000 from Scottish author Leigh Rivers. An anonymous donor contributed £15,000 last month.
Jasmin expressed her gratitude to the public for their overwhelming support in raising £1.4 million. Initiating the campaign seemed like a daunting endeavor, considering the substantial financial target, and Jasmin still finds it surreal that they are nearing the goal line.
“The