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Publish date: 09 August 2023
Aged 27 while driving on the M4, terrifyingly, Simona experienced a bleed on her brain. Since surviving major brain surgery Simona Stankovska has arranged for a Chelsea Flower Show garden to be donated to UCLH’s National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery - bringing joy to patients, families and staff at the hospital where she was treated.
The bleed meant the previously vivacious Global Head of PR lost her independence and was forced to move home because of balance problems, the need for a walking frame and severe pain.
Simona was diagnosed with Cavernoma, a lesion made up of abnormal blood vessels. One in 600 people have a cavernoma in the UK though a smaller number experience these symptoms. Simona was advised that surgery was out of the question until Simona found a Consultant Neurosurgeon at the NHNN, who specialised in cavernoma and agreed to operate.
In December 2015 Simona underwent a six-hour operation. After seven days in hospital, 9 months of neuro rehabilitation and neuropsychology to help deal with trauma Simona is reclaiming her independence and sharing her drive with others.
Simona is delighted that the garden is going to the National;
“It saved my life. The hospital’s canteen, near where the garden is, provided solace for my family as they waited for me to come out of surgery. My sister has now also been diagnosed with cavernoma, so the condition runs in our family.”
Simona was again in hospital in Jan 2023 after a relapse associated with cavernoma but despite this she has gone on to arrange the garden with support of her employer, fintech firm, EXANTE. They voted to donate the garden to UCLH because three employees had links to care received at UCLH and the team wanted to donate the garden as a gesture of thanks to staff.
Designed by Finnish horticulturist Taina Suonio and built by Oxfordshire-based firm Nicholsons, the garden called “Connected” aims to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of people by connecting them through nature. Designed to represent the British countryside in honour of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, the garden’s centrepiece is a beloved three-metre Oak tree stump. EXANTE purposefully chose the oak as the tree contributes to the surrounding biosphere as a home, food source and part of the water cycle. Up to 100 different species can live or feed in on one oak tree. Conserving oak forests is vital because as well as supporting people’s wellbeing it supports other species and the health of the planet.
UCLH Clinical Director at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN) Chris Turner said: “We are so grateful for this beautiful gift from EXANTE. Uplifting space and fresh air are so important for our patients and our staff. The new garden fits in beautifully. Our charity is creating a garden volunteering project and fundraising to support the maintenance and upkeep of the garden throughout the seasons to look after this amazing garden donation so we can offer a sanctuary for patients and staff for years to come.”
Alexey Kirenko, CEO of EXANTE said: “Culture, sustainability, and wellbeing are at the core of our business, so we’re delighted that the garden is going to such a wonderful home and that Taina’s clever design will be enjoyed by many for years to come. It’s lovely to see how meaningful this is to UCLH and the impact that it will bring. We look forward to tracking the garden’s journey.
UCLH head of charitable giving Carol Haraldsson said: “We would like to thank Exante for this extraordinary donation which is ‘above and beyond’ what the NHS could provide. All charitable donations we receive are used to enhance patient care and support the staff who care for them, and Exante’s garden donation will do this for years to come.”
Richard Holt, Senior Landscape Contracts Manager at Nicholsons added, “The fact that the garden will live on at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery is just fantastic and highlights the whole ethos of this project.”
The garden arrived in June.
- Notes to eds -
About EXANTE:
EXANTE is a wealthtech company that provides centralised trading solutions and B2B financial infrastructure; we create value through technology. Our proprietary trading platform enables direct market access to a wide range of financial instruments including stocks, ETFs, bonds, futures, options from a single multi-currency account.
About UCLH Charity
UCLH Charity supports patients, staff and research at UCLH. The UCLH Charity Gardens Appeal is raising money to support the on going implementation, design and maintenance that makes gardens like this continue to thrive so that we can provide more peace and tranquillity for our patients and staff for years to come. To find out more go www.
About Simona
Since her surgery Simona has gone on to do talks at the National with Brain Buddy (part of the National Brain appeal), and founded her own charity - The Cavernoma Society - to help others with cavernoma. www.cavernomasociety.org.uk.
About UCLH
UCLH (University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) provides first-class acute and specialist services in six hospitals in Central London. UCLH is committed to education and research and forms part of UCLPartners which in March 2009 was officially designated as one of the UK's first academic health science centres by the Department of Health. UCLH works closely with UCL, translating research into treatments for patients.
