Belfast boy unveils ‘Dáithí's doll’ at Belfast hospital to promote child organ donation

BELFAST boy Dáithí MacGahann (7) has unveiled a new handmade doll named after him at a Belfast hospital as part of a campaign to encourage organ donors for children.

Waiting for a heart transplant for six years, his family campaigned tirelessly for the introduction of Dáithí's law, which means all adults in Northern Ireland will automatically be considered as potential donors unless they opt out.

On Monday, the ‘Dáithí’s Doll’ installation was revealed at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

Symbolising the life of a child waiting for an organ transplant and a shortage of donors, it is part of the “Waiting to Live” campaign which features 23- handmade dolls in hospitals and other key-locations across the UK.

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Each doll carries a badge with a QR code that allows anyone to hear the stories of the children, with the hope that more families will consider organ donation and join the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Many children who wait for organs such as a heart, lungs or bowel need them from another child so that they are the right size and strength for their bodies.

The campaign aims to “normalise” these conversations for families.

Máirtín Mac Gabhann, Dáithí's dad, said: “Our family is deeply moved by the launch of this special doll representing Dáithí, which will raise much-needed awareness for paediatric organ donation.

“For over six years, Dáithí has been waiting for the gift of a new heart, and we hope this doll will inspire more families to join the organ donor register, offering hope to children like our Dáithí. We encourage people to scan the barcode and to listen to Dáithí's story, from his own mouth.”

He also said his son was delighted the doll had found a home in the children’s hospital, a place Dáithí sometimes calls his second home.

“This hospital has been a source of comfort and care for our family, and we’re grateful to see this part of Dáithí's journey here, which will hopefully spark a few lifesaving conversations about organ donation,” he said.

Jaclyn Jamison, Play Services Co-Ordinator at Belfast Trust said: “Staff at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children are proud supporters of the Waiting to Live Campaign to shine a light on all of the children currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. We are very privileged to have Dáithí's doll with his story to tell and hope that it encourages parents to consider adding their child to the organ donation register through this campaign.”

Sue Duncalf, Regional Head of Nursing – Organ Donation, Northern Ireland, from NHS Blood and Transplant NI Team praised the campaign.

“For many children on the transplant waiting list, their only hope is the parent of another child saying ‘yes’ to organ donation at a time of immense sadness and personal grief,” she said.

“Yet, families tell us that agreeing to organ donation can also be a source of great comfort and pride.

“When organ donation becomes a possibility, it is often in very sudden or unexpected circumstances. When families have already had the opportunity to consider organ donation previously or know already it is something they support, it makes a difficult situation that bit easier.

“By encouraging more families to confirm their support for organ donation on the NHS Organ Donor Register, we hope to be able to save more lives of children.

“This is a powerful campaign and hopefully the display of Dáithí's doll will bring this topic to the forefront of people’s minds.”

Further information on the campaign is available on the Organ Donation Northern Ireland website.