As the holiday season officially arrives, many of us look forward to spending time with loved ones and reflecting on the year’s blessings. Yet for healthcare professionals, especially those working in critical care, the festive season brings a heightened sense of responsibility. Perfusionists, in particular, play a vital role in saving lives during the holidays as the busiest time of year.
These skilled specialists manage life-sustaining technology like ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) machines, providing patients with the chance to recover and reunite with their families. They operate heart-lung bypass machines and ECMO systems, ensuring that blood is oxygenated and circulated to the body when the heart or lungs can no longer function on their own.
Their expertise and ability to stay calm under pressure are critical to the success of life-saving procedures, yet, until you or a loved one needs them, the work of perfusionists often goes unnoticed. This article highlights the indispensable work of perfusionists during the holiday season and shares stories of patients whose lives were saved thanks to their care.
Kaiden and Aliyah’s Story
Kaiden’s journey began on 25th July 2013 at Freeman Hospital, UK, when he was placed on Chalice Medical ECMO for five days due to meconium aspiration following a traumatic birth. A few years later, Aliyah faced her own battle. Born on 28th April 2016 at Glenfield Hospital, she required ECMO for twelve days after being diagnosed with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
Their mother reflected, “I was a lot more prepared for Aliyah with having been through it previously, but it was also scary having that bit more knowledge and knowing how serious her condition was.”
“I feel like the staff helped and supported us so much at both hospitals. Their kindness and support were what stood out to us. The message I have is THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart!! Both of them are still here today because of that machine and all the people involved in making it and running it. I will always be so grateful and blessed.”
Siddharth’s Story
For Siddharth, the ECMO journey was an emotional rollercoaster.
“It was a journey from hope to no hope to hope again. My family survived and found strength through spiritual prowess, prayers, and holding together. At some point, we had to make peace with the worst possible outcome. My wife had to fend off suggestions to think about turning off the life support during the treatment.”
While the treatment ultimately saved Siddharth’s life, he shared how it came at a significant emotional and physical cost—not only for him but also for his family. The road to recovery was filled with challenges, but through it, he found strength and gratitude.
“Thanks a lot for the wonderful piece of kit which is lifesaving for many survivors like me. We will always be thankful for the people behind this.”
Perfusionists live in the operating room and intensive care units on a regular basis, but during the holiday season, the demands on these professionals intensify. Hospitals often experience a rise in cardiac emergencies and respiratory failures due to factors like winter illnesses, seasonal stress, and delayed medical attention. For perfusionists, this means working long hours and sacrificing time with their own families to ensure patients receive the care they need.
Stories like Kaiden and Aliyah’s and Siddharth’s remind us of the profound impact of their work. Each survivor’s story is a testament to the technology, skill, and care that made their recovery possible. Their dedication saves lives - both in routine cardiac surgeries and in life-threatening cases requiring ECMO support.
At Chalice Medical, we are proud to support these professionals by providing high-quality ECMO systems and perfusion technologies. By ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of our equipment, we aim to empower healthcare teams to deliver the best possible outcomes - whatever the time of year.
The holiday season is a time to reflect on what truly matters: health, family, and the people who make both possible. To the perfusionists and critical care teams giving their all this season: thank you for your tireless dedication. Your work doesn’t just save lives - it creates stories of hope, resilience, and second chances.
