Business owner Sasha Rameswari is raising money for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity to thank the teams that saved her life when she was just two years old.
In 2001, Sasha’s life changed forever when she was diagnosed with leukaemia and referred to Sheffield Children’s. She began treatment and spent much of the next two years on the Haematology and Oncology ward. Although she was too young to remember everything about her treatment, the impact of the teams there, the care she received, and the hospital’s welcoming, child-friendly environment has stayed with her and her family.
Sasha said: “Looking back now, I realise just how much Sheffield Children’s did for my family and me. They gave us hope during one of the hardest times in our lives, and the staff always went above and beyond in my care.”
Sasha, now 27, remembers the nurses and doctors who cared for her, describing the hospital as feeling like a second home for a while. She also fondly remembers the little things that helped make bad days brighter – volunteers dressed in costumes, corridors painted with clowns and the Christmas celebrations.
After finishing treatment, Sasha was able to return to a normal childhood, but her experience at Sheffield Children’s continued to shape her life and personality.
She said: “It taught me to appreciate the little things and not take my health or family for granted. It also inspired me to help others wherever I can.”
After becoming a parent herself, Sasha went on to start Newly Born UK, creating personalised baby products that are both practical and memorable.
The business already creates personalised dummy clips, so when Sasha wanted to find a way to give back to the hospital that had cared for her, creating a special charity design felt like a natural fit.
The result? A branded dummy clip featuring our very own, much-loved charity mascot, Theo.
For every dummy clip sold, £3 is donated to our charity, helping to support children and families at Sheffield Children’s today and in the future.
Sasha said: “The hospital gave me so much as a child, so this felt like a meaningful way to give something back and help other families going through similar experiences.
“Without Sheffield Children’s, my story could have been very different. Supporting the charity is my way of saying thank you and helping ensure other children receive the same incredible care.”
This year, as Sheffield Children’s celebrates its 150th anniversary, and our charity celebrates 50 years of standing alongside them, Sasha’s story feels particularly special. Decades after she was treated at the hospital, she is now helping to support the next generation of children and families through her own fundraising.
Sasha said: “As a child, I never imagined I’d one day be able to give something back to the hospital that helped save my life.
“The care, kindness and dedication they showed made such a difference to my family and me during one of the hardest times in our lives. They also supported so many other children and families on the wards every single day. The work they do is amazing.
“Sheffield Children’s will always hold a special place in my heart, and supporting the charity is my way of giving back and saying thank you for everything they did for me and my family.”
To support Sasha’s fundraising through the purchase of a charity-branded dummy clip, head to Newly Born UK’s website here. Alternatively, they are available to buy at our charity hub in the Outpatients department at Sheffield Children’s.
If you have your own business or work for an organisation and would like to support our charity, our Corporate team would love to hear from you. Email corporate@sheffieldchildrens.org to start a conversation.
