Belfast homecoming for Dáithí after heart transplant
A nine-year-old boy who waited eight years for a heart transplant has arrived home to Belfast following his surgery in the UK earlier this summer.
Nine-year-old Dáithí Mac Gabhann, who endured eight years of waiting, has returned home to Belfast after undergoing a heart transplant in the UK this summer. The boy was born with the rare condition hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and had been on the transplant list since 2018. Dáithí and his family had been vocal advocates for a soft opt-out law and increased organ donation efforts.
Recently, the successful surgery at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle came as a shock to Dáithí's father, Máirtín Mac Gabhann, upon learning of the available heart. In an interview with RTÉ News at One, Máirtín expressed gratitude towards the donor and their family, stating that their actions had saved not just Dáithí, but the entire family.
The family has shared regular social media updates, showcasing Dáithí's recovery, including him playing soccer with his younger brother and expressing appreciation to actor and retired professional wrestler John Cena for his unwavering spirit. In their latest update, Dáithí is seen returning to Belfast International Airport, proudly wearing his Liverpool FC colors as he exits the plane.
Written by urgent.news from RTE News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
