Dylan Wilton-Jones from Newport is no stranger to the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales. He’s effectively been a patient since before he was born having been diagnosed with a heart condition called double outlet right ventricle with pulmonary atresia during his mum’s 20-week scan. Parents, Nerys and Peter were told that their son would need an operation shortly after birth to enable his heart to circulate blood through his lungs.
Dylan was born at almost 39 weeks and has heart surgery at Bristol St Michael’s Children’s Hospital when he was just eight days old. The surgery patched up the hole between the top two chambers of the heart. He then underwent further surgery aged two-and-a-half after it was discovered that he had a narrowing of the pulmonary artery which was causing an obstruction. This latest diagnosis explained why Dylan had become lethargic and had developed a slight blue tinge to his lips known as cyanosis.
In between operations and to this day, Dylan has been under the care of the paediatric cardiology team at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales. He’s very accustomed to making regular visits to the outpatients department for regular checks and scans and when necessary, the team have also prescribed Dylan’s medication to keep him well.
Dylan is now 10-years-old and at the end of 2021, at just nine, he told his parents that he wanted to raise money for the charity that support the hospital that is there for him each time any issues arise.
As keen cyclists, Dylan, his dad, and little sister Nina took on a 33km cycle from their home in Newport to the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital, completing the first leg of their round trip in just over an hour and a half to cycle.
On arrival at the hospital, they were greeted by a crowd of their family, friends, and members of the Noah’s Ark charity team for a picnic. Dylan was presented with a goody bag from the charity complete with a medal, certificate, and a cuddly chicken, his favorite animal. The trio then set off to complete their challenge by cycling home.
Dylan and his family have now raised an impressive £1,580 through their bike ride and have since been announced as Noah’s Ark Charity family ambassadors.
Dylan’s dad Peter said: “You wouldn’t know Dylan has a heart condition by watching him on that bike. There were a few hills, but Dylan really pushed through. He was tired at the end, but we were amazed at how much we raised.”
Dylan is now free from medication but continues to have annual reviews at the children’s hospital. He’s expected to need another operation to enlarge his arteries when his symptoms return at some point in the future, but it’s hoped that will be his last.
Dylan recovered well from his impressive cycle and has now signed up for the Noah’s Ark Charity Superhero Dash in September with his family to raise even more funds.
Thank you so much for being so incredible Dylan, we are so grateful to have you and your family on board.
