Nine-year-old Dáithí Mac Gabhann, whose heart condition led to a change in organ donation law in Northern Ireland, has left hospital after receiving a heart transplant.
Long-awaited transplant
Dáithí was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a rare condition where the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped, at birth in 2016. He had his first major surgery at just four days old. After years of waiting, his family announced he had been given a new heart following an operation at the NHS Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
Emotional departure
He was applauded by nurses as he left the ward, with the Rocky theme song Eye of the Tiger playing. In a social media post, his family said: "After over eight years of coming to Ward 23, Dáithí officially left today with the greatest gift of all - the gift of life, the gift of a new heart. No better song for this guy to walk out to, as Dáithí very clearly has the Eye of the Tiger."
Medical journey
Dáithí had his first surgery at four days old and was put on a bypass machine for six days. A year later, he was admitted to hospital with flu, and medics found backward blood flow in his heart valves. This complicated his planned surgeries, leading doctors to decide a transplant was the only option. He was placed on the routine waiting list in June 2018.
Campaign and law change
His family and community set up the Donate4Dáithí campaign to raise awareness and push for a change in the law. A GoFundMe campaign raised more than €12,800 (£11,000). Dáithí's Law came into effect on June 1, 2023, making Northern Ireland the final UK nation to adopt an opt-out organ donation system.
He is set to stay in Newcastle for another three weeks before returning to Northern Ireland.
