19th February 2026
A wedding day shaped by two miracles
At the beginning of 2023, Susie and her partner Dave, together for nine years, were excitedly planning their wedding. As the big day approached, they took a short trip to Greece for a break from the preparations. But on the third day, everything changed when Susie received a frantic call from her daughter: “Mum, you have to come home immediately. Grandma is not going to make it.”
Stunned especially as her mum had been healthy when she left Susie and Dave rushed to the airport, facing stressful delays along the way. While travelling, doctors delivered devastating news: “There is no hope for your mum.”
Her mum, Ursula, had initially been sent to A&E after doctors grew concerned about her heart. Accompanied by her husband and great-granddaughter, she had no idea how serious things were. When told she urgently needed a new heart valve, Ursula tried to lighten the mood, saying, “Oh, can’t I just do some exercise and it’ll get better?” But just two hours later, her heart suddenly stopped. She was placed in intensive care with little chance of survival.
As the family prepared to say goodbye, a miracle unfolded, Ursula stabilised. Though heavily sedated, she pulled through and was transferred to Harefield Hospital on October 2nd for life-saving surgery to repair the heart valve. Surgeons later explained it had been a very close call, but the operation was successful.
On October 8th, Susie went ahead with her wedding, missing both of her parents. In an extraordinary twist, that very same day her mum woke for the first time since surgery, a second miracle.
Determined to share the moment, Susie arranged a small recreated ceremony at Harefield on October 10th. Thanks to the hospital team, her dad was finally able to walk her down the aisle. Susie said, “It was nothing short of a miracle.”
The family later shared their heartfelt thanks:
“We can’t thank the staff at Harefield hospital enough, they were able to create so many miracles from saving my mum to helping her be a part of my wedding. THANK YOU!!”
If you were inspired by Susie’s story and have a story of strength, hope or gratitude to share, we’d love to hear it
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ENDS
Notes to editor
For further information please contact:
Jacqueline Nortman, Head of Marketing & Communications
About Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity
Founded within the UK’s largest centre for heart and lung care, Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital Charity provide specialist clinicians, academics and researchers with the funding, equipment and resources they need to better prevent, diagnose and treat heart and lung conditions.
We bring together world-class experts in medicine and research to uncover the answers we desperately need to change the tide of these life-shattering diseases. We can help make breakthroughs that ensure every patient gets the best possible treatment.
