Table of Contents
Peter Kay has announced an extra tour date to help raise money for a Prenton teenager who needs life-changing heart surgery in the United States, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
Kay will perform at Blackpool Opera House on 27 September at 1 pm, with proceeds going to the All In For Fin campaign. Tickets go on sale at 10 am on 28 August.
Fin Cormack, 19, was born with Ebstein's anomaly, a rare heart condition that has required multiple open-heart surgeries throughout his life. His family is trying to raise around £250,000 for specialist surgery at the Mayo Clinic in the US. Through a series of events, Fin's family have slowly but surely been working towards the goal.
The comedian said he saw a news report about Fin's condition and felt compelled to help. He hopes people will support the event and help Fin get his vital surgery.
Hours after he was born, Fin's condition was diagnosed at Arrowe Park Hospital. Doctors observed his oxygen levels were very low by looking at his oxygen saturation. Fin was put on a ventilator and later transferred to Alder Hey for specialist cardiac care.
Fin's mother Clare Cormack, 46, who is also from Prenton, described her son as a "quiet guy with a smile that lights up everything" to the Echo previously.
He has been in surgery since he was young, and in 2018 he underwent a cone reconstruction, which is a surgical technique to repair the tricuspid valve. He initially seemed to improve, but his symptoms have worsened in recent years.
Finn has had trouble with fitness and exercise, and even said he finds it hard to walk and climb stairs, and he needs to catch his breath after them.
Doctors have told the family that Fin has right-sided heart failure and may need a transplant. However, a specialist team at the Mayo Clinic has reviewed his case and believes they may be able to repair or replace a damaged valve, potentially delaying the need for a transplant and immensely improving his quality of life.
The family has chosen to pursue this option after speaking to other people and families affected by the same condition. Fin's family will pay up to £200,0000 for the surgery, and funds have to be raised by them to do it. The surgery costs up to £200,000, which the family must raise themselves.
Fortunately, the new Blackpool date could be the answer to their prayers, with the profits from the further show dates being shared between Fin's charity, The Lily Foundation, and another charity.
