The friends and family of a young woman who sadly passed away last Christmas Eve have raised over £7,000 in her memory, which will go towards benefitting patients like her at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

Zoe Croft, a normal, fun-loving 21-year-old from Shropshire, had received her first heart transplant in 2011 at just 16, due to a condition called cardiomyopathy, in which the heart’s ability to pump blood is decreased because the heart’s main chamber is enlarged and weakened.

Tracey Croft, Zoe’s mum, said: “When the doctors came to tell us that the transplant had been a success, we were overcome with joy and thankfulness. There were no words to express how lucky and happy we felt.”

(Zoe enjoys her prom with friends.)

The months that followed saw Zoe make a full recovery, as she began to enjoy the things she had missed out on whilst in hospital. Sadly though, just four and a half years after Zoe’s transplant, and one month after her 21st birthday, Zoe began to experience breathlessness again and was readmitted to QEHB.

“We knew something wasn’t right. After seven weeks of doctors trying everything they possibly could, it became apparent that Zoe’s antibodies were attacking her heart, and nothing could be done to save her.”

Devastatingly, Zoe passed away in the early hours of Christmas Eve 2015 surrounded by her friends and family. Tracey said: “I know it may not seem like a success story, but we wanted to share Zoe’s journey, because thanks to organ donation and the fantastic work of staff at QEHB, we got to spend four more wonderful years with our amazing Zoe, who was truly loved by so many.”

On 2 July 2016, Tracey, along with Zoe’s sister Tess and five other family friends, completed a sponsored bike ride, from Myddle in Shropshire to Talybont in Wales, raising a total amount of over £7,000 in honour of their beloved daughter, sister and friend.

Tracey said: “We have been overwhelmed with how much we have raised in memory of Zoe, and it just goes to show how much she is loved and missed.”

Justine Davy, Head of Fundraising at QEHB Charity, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Tracey and the rest of Zoe’s friends and family for their selfless fundraising in Zoe’s memory. Your generous donations will help other patients with heart conditions and support the amazing work done by the hospital. Thank you all so much.”

Tracey Croft is also generously supporting the QEHB Christmas campaign, which is benefitting patients like Zoe, who have to stay in hospital over the Christmas period. Please donate at qehbchristmas.org

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