Amy loses fight for want of a donor

UMHLANGA’S 5-year old Amy Miller, who suffered from a rare congenital heart disease, died this week after waiting in vain for a donor.

Now, her parents Natasha and Mike Miller, hope their daughter’s story will encourage more people to become organ donors. Amy had hypoplastic left heart syndrome, meaning the left side of was underdeveloped, making the right side do all the work.

Last month, the Sunday Tribune featured her story.

Amy suffered three heart failures and underwent three major operations before her fight ended. But according to her parents, their little girl was a “real fighter” and was an inspiration to many.

The Millers started an online campaign with the help of Heart Kids several months ago to raise awareness and to find a new heart for Amy. They will continue with the campaign, and will share Amy’s story so that others too, will become organ donors.

They registered Amy, their younger daughter Layla, and themselves as organ donors. Amy’s organs have now been donated.

“Amy’s eyes have been donated and thanks to this, some other child will get the gift of sight. Her eyes will live on through someone else. Amy’s heart might have not have been strong but it was big enough to give,” said her father.

Speaking at her funeral, he said Amy could have been saved if more people became donors. “We can look back on the tears and the memories, but each of us has a responsibility to make things better.

“We need to spread the message and encourage more people to become organ donors. Amy could have been saved, if only more people realised.”

Amy’s parents urged other parents to consider donation and to register their kids as well. “I know it sounds frightening and is something that most parents would never think of doing, but please, put yourselves in our position. A child’s life could have been saved,” said her mother.

Heart Kids South Africa says it will continue with the #ANewHeartForAmy campaign. Liza Welsh, its head, said it was difficult for parents to decide whether or not their young ones should be organ donors if they died but Amy’s story should be a case for them to think about.

“People need to realise that it’s a decision you need to make before the time. Not when tragedy strikes. There’s no time to think about donating the organ’s of a loved one when you’re placed in a difficult situation. The sad thing about Amy’s situation is that she could have been saved if only more people had registered their kids to become organ donors. I am sure someone out there would have had a heart for Amy.”

For more information visit www.heartkids.co.za