Hospital's incredible $600k gesture over bill for baby Ollie's life-saving US heart treatment

A mum who led an incredible campaign to raise £1.5 million for life-saving treatment for her son has revealed his US hospital has waived a further bill of nearly $600,000.

Jasmin Roberts and her son Ollie captured the hearts of people across the world as she sought to raise money for treatment not available on the NHS.

Young Ollie had been diagnosed with the rare and complex heart condition pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries.

An astonishing response from thousands of people, including a donation from Wrexham AFC owner and movie star Ryan Reynolds, saw the campaign hit its £1.5m target.

That meant Ollie was able to travel to California earlier this year, where he underwent treatment at Stanford Children’s Hospital in California.

Jasmin and Ollie, who previously lived in Gobowen, have since returned home and are now staying in Shrewsbury while they await further treatment on the NHS.

But Jasmin has now revealed that she faced another potential bill for nearly $600,000 from the US hospital for Ollie’s treatment - but incredibly after discussions between staff, it has agreed to waive the amount and now considers the payment for Ollie’s care settled.

The total extra bill was $578,337.25.

Explaining the developments on her social media account Jasmin said “I can’t explain how much weight this has taken off of my shoulders”, adding that it had been “like this dark cloud hanging over us”.

She told how she had resisted the suggestions that she set up another fundraiser, because she did not want to ask people for more money.

‘That chapter of our lives can finally close’

Speaking directly to her supporters on social media she said: “So a couple of months ago I received another bill from Stanford for almost $600,000 for Ollie’s early inpatient stay, and at the time you guys told me to set up another fundraiser, that you’d be happy to donate again, and while that was so, so kind and generous, I just couldn’t do it.

“I couldn’t accept any more help when we’d already received so much support and kindness.

“I mean we had raised £1.5m, how could I ask anyone for any more? And selfishly I also didn’t want to put myself through the backlash again, that I knew it would cause.

“So I have been trying to work it out with Stanford to see if we could do a payment plan or something because I don’t just have that money lying around unfortunately. I am currently in temporary accommodation.

“So I explained everything to Stanford, you know, my situation now, everything I’ve had to do to get Ollie to America, you know, the fundraising, the advocating.

“And a couple of days ago they sent me an email to tell me they have wiped it. So, obviously we have paid, you know, the £1.5m, but anything else they have just cleared off of our account and I can’t explain how much weight this has taken off of my shoulders.

“It has been like this dark cloud hanging over us. I am just so, so glad that chapter of our lives can now finally close.”

She thanked those who have supported her and Ollie, adding: “Also I just wanted to say thank you, so, so much to everybody that offered to donate again, especially when like I have said we have had so much kindness, and so much support, and it is just incredible to know that you guys are still there for us, so thank you.”

The letter from Stanford said the hospital recognised the “significant effort” needed to raise the money for Ollie’s care, and that after discussions they consider the balance now closed.

It said: “Thank you for allowing Stanford Medicine Children's Health [SMCH] the privilege of caring for Oliver. We appreciate the incredible effort and partnership you’ve demonstrated throughout his care journey and we hope he is doing well.

“Shahin Barooni shared your email where you described the significant effort required to raise money to cover the cost of Oliver’s care, and the ongoing challenges you’re tackling trying to address this matter with NHS.

“I reviewed your situation with other members of our administrator team. Shahin advocated for the closure of any outstanding balances, given the significant funding you raised and provided on SMCH’s initial estimate of the cost of care.

“After reviewing your circumstances and supporting information I provided SMCH has agreed to waive any remaining amounts due.

“Your payments to date are considered ‘payments in full’.”

It added: “Your balance is now closed and no additional payment is due.”