A Belfast boy who inspired a campaign to change organ donation laws in Northern Ireland has received a new heart after a heart transplant, with his family saying his wait is the longest of any child in the world.
Nine-year-old Dáithí Mac Gabhann was born with the rare hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and had been on the waiting list for a heart transplant since 2018.
Mairtin Mac Gabhann with his six-year-old son Daithi Mac Gabhann outside the Parliament Buildings in Stormont, ahead of the introduction of the Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) legislation, known as ‘Daithi’s Law’, named in honour of six-year-old Daithi Mac Gabhann from Belfast, who is waiting for a new heart. Picture date: Thursday June 1, 2023. PA Photo. From Friday all adults in Northern Ireland will be considered potential organ donors unless they choose to opt out or are in an excluded group. The intent of the new legislation is to increase the current number of organs available to people in need of a transplant. See PA story ULSTER Organ. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
His father, Máirtín, and the rest of his family campaigned for years for a move towards a soft opt-out law and to promote organ donation.
In June 2023, Dáithí’s Law came into effect, bringing Northern Ireland in line with the rest of the UK.
The Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) legislation changed the way consent is granted, and adults are now deemed to have given consent as a potential organ donor after their death unless they choose to opt out or are in an excluded group.
Máirtín was made an MBE in 2024, and Dáithí was awarded the freedom of Belfast in 2023 for their campaigning work.
‘The gift of a heart transplant’
A post on the Donate For Dáithí social media channels with a picture of the nine-year-old in hospital was captioned: ‘Dáithí has received the gift of a heart transplant.
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‘His wait, the longest of any child in the world for a heart transplant, is over.
‘Dáithí is at the beginning of his recovery. There have already been some big wins for him, but there is still a long road ahead, and we would ask you all to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
‘Organ donation is the greatest gift anyone can ever give.
‘We are beyond grateful to Dáithí’s donor and their family for making such a selfless decision at the most difficult time imaginable.
‘Out of respect for them, and for their privacy, we won’t be saying anything more at this stage.
‘Please keep talking about organ donation. Those conversations save lives.’
