- By Marie Louise Connolly
- BBC News Northern Ireland Health Correspondent
An 11-year-old girl has died after spending nine months in hospital undergoing a heart transplant.
Amy Brady, from Magherafelt, has been in the Royal Belfast Children's Hospital since January, waiting to receive a new heart.
Amy's wish was not granted. She died on Wednesday surrounded by her family.
Her public appeal from the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) touched many hearts.
After Amy shared her story in August, people from all over England and Scotland sent her cards, and her story went viral on social media.
During our visit, Amy and I made a beaded bracelet for her best friend.
Purple was the predominant color, it was her favorite.
After reading a few chapters of the book, she asked if she wanted to chat instead.
Amy told me that she missed her brother and mother's cooking, that she was bored and just wanted to go home.
There was a machine beeping in the background, and I remember her saying, “That means my heart is working normally.”
A little while later, her dad arrived with dinner, “a little treat.”
He also brought along a construction chest of drawers, a nod to her time spent in the hospital.
Amy understood that in order for her to live, someone else had to die.
Even though she was still young, she understood the blessings of life.
Amy's parents, Valerie and Stephen, said their daughter wanted their campaign to continue and that they would continue to do so in her memory.
Amy's brother, Taylor, helps out.
I had the pleasure of meeting Amy, she is such a brave and beautiful girl with a lovely smile.
