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Tania Lewys-Lloyd and the Guy

Saying thank you for their exceptional care

We’re proud to help people give something back to the remarkable Guy’s and St Thomas’ team for their compassionate, and often life-saving, care.

Brave supporter Tania Lewys-Lloyd recently overcame her fear of heights at the St Thomas’ Abseil to thank the dedicated staff for saving her husband Tegid’s life.  

On New Year’s Eve 2022, Tegid became seriously ill with Group A Strep pneumonia, which then developed into septic shock. Within 12 hours, he had gone from the local urgent care centre to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Kingston Hospital. Just after midnight, he was placed on an ECMO life support machine by Dr Chris Meadows and the Guy’s and St Thomas’ ECMO retrieval team, before being transferred to the ICU at St Thomas’ Hospital.

What is ECMO?

ECMO is a temporary life support system used for people whose lungs have stopped working properly. The ECMO machine does the work of the lungs, allowing them time to heal. 

The team saved Tegid’s life that night; however, the weeks and months that followed were an incredibly scary time for Tegid, Tania and their family. But the compassionate staff were there for them all the way.  

Tegid was on the ICU for six weeks, overcoming several complications, before being transferred to the general Dorcas Ward at Guy’s Hospital. There, the dedicated team supported his ongoing recovery and rehabilitation. They helped him relearn how to walk and to swallow, with daily physiotherapy sessions and support from the dietician. 

Tegid is still receiving care from Guy’s and St Thomas’ including physiotherapy, and psychological support to help him cope with the trauma of what he went through. With the support of the remarkable team, he’s getting stronger every day.

“Throughout this rollercoaster journey, the staff at Guy's and St Thomas' were exceptional. Their capacity to care, provide hope, encourage and support not only Tegid, but myself and his family, was phenomenal.”  

Tania Lewys-Lloyd

Saying thank you and giving back 

Tania was so touched by the support and compassion she, Tegid and their family received, that she felt compelled to give something back. Tackling her fear of heights, she abseiled 160 feet down St Thomas’ Hospital for Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity, joined by her supportive friend and neighbour, Ellie Carding, and Tegid’s ICU nurse Rowena Vuilleumier.  

Together, they raised over £4,000, which will support the incredible NHS staff and exceptional healthcare provided by Guy’s and St Thomas’.

"We are incredibly grateful to Tania and her abseiling team for braving the heights of the North Wing Tower. We will ensure their amazing fundraising goes to helping us deliver the best ECMO service possible."

Dr Chris Meadows, Consultant in Intensive Care, Anaesthesia and ECMO
A Guy

Feeling inspired?

Join our team of outstanding fundraisers and abseil 160 feet down the front of St Thomas’ Hospital.

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