Belfast boy Daiti McGovern, who has been waiting more than six years for a heart transplant, wants the energy to laugh, run and play like a normal child, says his father as he urges people to talk about organ donation. he said.
Speaking at Organ Donation Discussion Day, Fr Martin said the eight-year-old boy's health condition was deteriorating as he now uses a wheelchair and relies on oxygen at home.
💗 The home game on Wednesday, December 11th will be organ donation discussion night!
If you're heading to the match, be sure to stop by the information desk at The Bridge to find out how and why you can register to become an organ donor on the NHS Organ Donation Register. ✍️
we can… pic.twitter.com/N5ScGcwMs9
— Belfast Giants (@BelfastGiants) December 9, 2024
Dythi, from Ballymurphy in west Belfast, was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and has been waiting for a transplant since 2018.
His family successfully campaigned for a change in the law to allow organ donation unless the deceased had specifically recorded that the organ should not be donated or the next of kin objected. Donate4Dáithí raises awareness about organ donation.
“Words can save lives. That's the reality of organ donation, and for Daiti, those words are her best chance,” McGovern said.
“Daiti's health continues to deteriorate and it's heartbreaking to see him come to grips with his reality even more. All he wants for Christmas is a friend like… All you have to do is have the energy to laugh, run, and play like a normal 8-year-old.
“This Organ Donation Discussion Day is an opportunity for all of us to share our decision to donate with our loved ones. Whether it's at breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even in a family group chat, we can remind families of our wishes. is very important.
“At the end of the day, it's your loved ones who have the final say on organ donation. That's why sharing your decision could save up to nine lives. Wait with Daiti Please have that conversation with the many people who are out there today.”
Organ Donation NI said it always consults families when organ donation is a possibility, but said: “It is important that families are sure of what they want.”
“The best way to do this is to record and discuss your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register,” it said.
“Only 50% of families agree to go ahead with a donation if they don’t know what their loved one wants, but this rises to 90% once they know the decision.”
