SCMH Members attend Scarlett's Ball
Published: 16 November 2022
SCMH Members attend the 2022 Scartlett's Ball
The 2022 Scarlett's Ball was attended by Martin McBride, Eleanor Davies, Eleanor Dickson-Murray, Alisha Aman and Caitlin Cosgrove. The event happened on Saturday 5th November and was enjoyed by all.
Scarlett Dougan has hypoplastic right heart syndrome. Every year, her family hold a charity ball, raising funds for Glasgow children's Hospital Charity & The British Heart Foundation.
You can watch Scarlett's story here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BYqnIUbvXE
Caitlin has said about her experience at the event:
"Scarlett's Ball was a wonderful night of great food, music, and dancing but the highlight was definitely hearing Scarlett's speech. Scarlett was born with hypoplastic right heart syndrome and a heart transplant may be her only long term option. This brave 10 year old girl gave a truly inspiring and confident speech to a room filled with over 150 people reminding us all of the importance of continuing to fundraise and research so young children like her have the chance to live a healthy and fulfilling life. The ball was a lot of fun but it was also the prefect opportunity to reflect on why we research and to be grateful for the incredible fundraisers who make that work possible."
Eleanor Dickson-Murray's comments on the event:
"Scarlett's Ball 2022 was an amazing night hosted by the Scarlett Fund to raise money for the BHF and Glasgow Children's Hospital. On the night we heard from Scarlett's mum and Scarlett about the direct impact that BHF research is having on their family, and their hopes for the future. On my table were a couple of the BHF regional fundraising managers who were lovely to meet in person! It was so interesting to heard about all the hard-work, time and organisation that goes into fundraising for our research. Additionally, it was inspiring to hear about the direct impact that research is having on people as well as the hope and trust that they place in researchers to improve lives. Overall, it is the best thing I have done in my PhD to date, and I am thankful for the opportunity to attend. I would urge anyone who has the opportunity next year to attend, it will be a fabulous night!"
Martin's words on the event:
"This year I was asked to attend Scarlett’s ball as part of fund-raising efforts by Scarlett to raise funds for BHF Scotland and Glasgow Children’s hospital Charity. Scarlett is a young schoolgirl born with a severe heart defect. After many operations, Scarlett is doing brilliantly, and she gave an equally brilliant speech that was an inspiration and highlights why we do what we do in the BHF centre of excellence. Scarlett is determined to fundraise, and I could not imagine doing this when I was 10. Scarlett was truly inspirational.
At my table everyone was interested in the research I undertake, and it was wonderful to share some of the fundamental research with others involved in fundraising as well as patients that had recently undergone replacement valve surgery and were doing so well (well enough to attend and help fundraise). Scarlett's Ball 2022 raised £24,535 and some of that was my money, I would suggest you get the 4th November 2023 in your diary, it will be their 10th ball, so you definitely won't want to miss it!"
Alisha thoughts on the ball:
“It was a great privilege to have attended the Scarlett ball this year. We had immense fun in the ball and glad we all were able to raise funds for the BHF and Glasgow Children’s hospital. Scarlett is such a strong-willed girl, and it was both motivational and heart-breaking to hear her own perspective on the life-threatening battle she has been enduring since an infant. It was very humbling to speak to the patrons and volunteers who work tirelessly to raise funds for BHF’s life saving research and interventions. It makes you realise the sheer responsibility we, as researchers, to make good use of those funds and have an impact on cardiovascular research, no matter how small.”
Word's on the event from Eleanor Davies:
"This was a great event at the Crowne Plaza hotel and I was delighted to attend alongside some of our PhD students as guest of BHF Scotland. The evening included inspirational speeches from Scarlett and her mum and a fantastic meal with a very special dessert to celebrate Scarlett. We also had a raffle and a silent and live auction to raise lots of funds for Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity & The British Heart Foundation which will be used to transform the operating theatre area used in Glasgow into a more child friendly and welcoming environment. I managed to come third in the true/false competition. I must improve my general knowledge for next year!"
First published: 16 November 2022