On January 2015, Martha Graham’s heart was racing at twice the normal speed when doctors decided to deliver her by emergency Caesarean at 35 weeks. Martha’s condition is Permanent Junctional Reciprocating Tachycardia (PJRT SVT), a rare cardiac arrhythmia, causing her to have a very rapid heartbeat.
Martha’s Dancing Heart Campaign was started by Martha’s mum, Michelle Graham, who has pledged to raise £1million in her family’s lifetime in support of Neonatal Services and Paediatric Cardiology Services who cared for Martha after her birth.
Michelle’s fundraising efforts throughout the last 8 years have been truly inspiring. She has participated in multiple Cardiff Half Marathons and other running challenges, and organised her own when the official event was cancelled amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, along with a group of friends and other supporters of the Martha’s Dancing Heart Campaign. Michelle had also organised the Martha’s Dancing Heart Ball 2020, before the start of the pandemic, raising nearly £55,000. The funds raised by Martha’s Dancing Heart Campaign have been instrumental to the launch of the remote heart rhythm monitoring and emergency tele-echocardiography service at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
This year, Michelle and 20 other adventurers will be completing the Welsh 3 Peaks challenge on 27th May 2023, raising funds for Martha’s Dancing Heart Campaign. Another incredible gesture in support of the Cardiology Department at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. Thank you to Michelle and the team for their dedication to change lives, we are with you all the way to the top! You can support the team by donating here.