Little boy, eight, appears on TV in appeal for new heart donors
by DAN WOODLAND · Mail OnlineAn eight-year-old boy who is urgently in need of a heart transplant has issued a fresh appeal for donors.
Dáithí Mac Gabhann was born in 2016 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a congenital heart condition where the left ventricle is smaller than usual and is unable to pump blood around the body as well.
Dáithí is in urgent need of a new heart and has been on the waiting list for a transplant since 1 June 2018.
He and his father Máirtín have issued a new appeal for people to sign up for organ donation, with young Dáithí saying it is 'all he wants for Christmas'.
The father and son appeared on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, where Máirtín highlighted Dáithí's battle with his condition and how it impacts his life.
Máirtín began describing the everyday challenges the youngster is faced with, before being interrupted by his son, leading to a heartwarming moment on screen.
Seemingly unable to believe his luck, Dáithí asked his father with a huge grin on his face: 'Am I really on TV right now?'
Presenter Kate Garraway then told the youngster 'you really are', before asking if he wanted to wave hello to any of his friends at home.
A shocked Dáithí immediately lit up with excitement and gave a big wave to all those watching him on live TV.
After Dáithí began to settle down, Máirtín continued to describe his son's' condition.
He said: 'Dáithí was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which basically means he was born with half a working heart. Because of that it means he would only have half the energy of a normal child.
'Everyday is quite challenging with Dáithí and he can't do the normal things a kid his age would normally do.
'So things kids take for granted like play football for a very long time or play in the yard for a very long time or boxing for a very long time.
'Our Dáithí just wants a gift of a new heart so he can keep up with his friends.'
Máirtín explained that Dáithí was given under a 10 per cent chance of survival when he was born and spent a few days on a life support machine shortly after.
He then underwent a 'couple of surgeries', Dáithí became quite stable.
But the family later found out Dáithí had a further complication with his heart that meant he couldn't get tricuspid surgery. This means that his only chance for a normal life is through a transplant.
Dáithí has already inspired a change in organ donation rules in Ireland, after legislation named Dáithí's Law came into effect last year.
The law was passed in February 2023 means that most adults in Northern Ireland are considered potential organ donors unless they opt out.
Prior to the legislation being introduced, Northern Ireland was the only part of the UK with an opt-in organ donor system.
Following the change in the law, Máirtín was awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours list.
Speaking after the monumental achievement in June, he said: 'To me this is acknowledging the impact of Daithi's campaign and the legislative success of Daithi's Law, which has just passed a year and it is saving lives.
'I believe this reflects the positive change that we have facilitated in our society and is promoting the importance of organ donation and saving lives.
'That is what our campaign has always been about.'
He added: 'Throughout the campaign I have been very careful to separate any of my personal politics for our mission.
'This is bigger than me personally and Daithi's campaign has always been about something greater than any political stance.'