A boy who helped bring about changes to Northern Ireland’s organ donation laws has received a heart transplant after a lengthy wait. Dáithí Mac Gabhann’s family said on Tuesday that he was at the beginning of his recovery.
The family posted on social media that there had already been some major improvements for him, but that a long road remained ahead. They asked people to keep him in their thoughts and prayers.
How long has Dáithí been waiting?
Dáithí was born in 2016 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which means the left side of his heart did not form correctly. He had been on the list to get a heart transplant for about eight years.
His family said they were beyond grateful to Dáithí’s donor and their family for making such a selfless decision at the most difficult time imaginable.
Where was the operation carried out?
The transplant operation was carried out at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne. The family’s update said he was at the beginning of his recovery after the procedure.
What changes followed his campaign?
In 2023, a law was introduced in Northern Ireland that means people automatically become potential organ donors unless they explicitly say they do not wish to be. The legislation was named Dáithí’s Law after his family spent years campaigning on the issue.
Key Facts
- Dáithí Mac Gabhann was born in 2016 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
- He had been waiting for a heart transplant for about eight years.
- The transplant was performed at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne.
- Northern Ireland introduced an opt-out organ donation law in 2023.
- The legislation was named Dáithí’s Law.
