Little boy, eight, seems on TV in enchantment for brand spanking new coronary heart donors saying it is ‘all he needs for Christmas’ – earlier than waving to all his mates watching at house
An eight-year-old boy who is urgently in need of a heart transplant has captured the hearts on viewers after issuing a fresh appeal for potential 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.
The youngster, who is in urgent need of a new heart and has been on the waiting list for a transplant since 1 June 2018, sparked an outpouring of emotion after he and his father appeared on TV screens earlier this morning.
He and his father Máirtín appeared on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday where they issued a heartfelt appeal for people to sign up for organ donation, with young Dáithí saying it is ‘all he wants for Christmas‘.
Máirtín went on to describe the everyday challenges Dáithí 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.
The heartwarming moment saw social media light up with messages of support for Dáithí, as viewers remarked of his bravery in the face of his challenging condition.
A shocked Dáithí Mac Gabhann, who was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), couldn’t believe his luck when he appeared on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday
After realising he was on live TV, shocked Dáithí immediately lit up with excitement and gave a big wave to all those watching at home
Dáithí and his father Máirtín (right) appeared on the ITV show as they issued a new appeal for people to sign up for organ donation
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 (pictured) was born in 2016 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a congenital heart condition where the left ventricle is smaller than usual
Dáithí (pictured with his parents) is in urgent need of a new heart and has been on the waiting list for a transplant since 1 June 2018
After describing his ordeal, there was an outpouring on emotion online as viewers remarked over Dáithí’s ‘bravery’ in the face of such a horrible condition.
One person wrote: ‘He is such a brave boy. I hope he gets his heart.’
Another added: ‘Such a brave happy little boy I hope he gets his transplant.’
A third said: ‘What a gorgeous boy. Everything crossed he gets a heart for Christmas.’
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.
Rishi Sunak even presented Daithi with an ‘outstanding volunteers’ award for his contribution to his community during a visit to Belfast in April 2023
Daithi and his father taking part in a charity event for the British Heart Foundation
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.’
