Dáithí Mac Gabhann Receives Heart Transplant in Belfast

Dáithí Mac Gabhann, a nine-year-old from west Belfast, had waited on the heart transplant list since 2018, the longest wait for a child in many reports. He finally received a heart transplant, a milestone tied to his Donate4Dáithí campaign that helped spur Dáithí’s Law, Northern Ireland's opt-out organ donation system enacted in 2023. His family and supporters celebrated the donor's selfless decision while urging ongoing conversations about organ donation. The transplant drew widespread attention to the campaign and the broader issue of organ donation across Northern Ireland. Medical teams say Dáithí is at the beginning of his recovery, with a long road ahead. Dáithí’s Law brings NI in line with the rest of the UK and is credited with saving lives through increased organ donation.