We’d hope a donor family will see it as a chance for their child’s heart to live on
Mum’s plea for more kids’ organs
A NATIONAL shortage of organ donors for children has been revealed, as figures show bereaved parents of the young are less likely to agree to donate.
Parents are more reluctant to give the go-ahead for a transplant, with just 48% of those for under17s agreeing.
That compares to an average of 66% of relatives of people of all ages.
This means children needing an urgent heart transplant will wait two-and-a-half times as long as adults.
In the past three years 46 children have died on the waiting list. Of these 30 were waiting for a heart or lung transplant.
Harry Clarke, who turns eight months old during Organ Donation Week, is at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital with a heart condition.
His parents Kerrie and Rob have uprooted their lives in Birmingham to be by Harry’s side while he is treated for dilated cardiomyopathy.
They know that their only hope will be the parents of another child saying “yes” to organ donation at a time of personal tragedy.
Kerrie said: “We would hope that family can look at it as an opportunity for their heart to live on through our son.
“Without his wires, you wouldn’t know he was ill some days.
“Until you go through this and see how many babies are suffering, considering organ donation probably doesn’t cross your mind but it’s important to have those conversations.”
The figures are revealed by NHS Blood and Transplant to mark Organ Donation Week.
For many children on the waiting list a young donor is their only hope.
Hearts and lungs need to be matched by size because of the limited space inside the chest.
The Mirror is campaigning to Change the Law for Life to alter the rules in England to presumed consent rather than having to opt in to organ donation.
If the planned law change comes in 2020, bereaved relatives and parents will still have the right to veto a donation. Parents are calling on families to discuss their wishes if the worst happened.
Oscar Dunkley, of Bournemouth, who turns one next week, also suffers from cardiomyopathy and will need a new heart.
His family have been told at his age he will only be able to receive a transplant from a child at most a couple of years older than him.
Mum Abbie said: “We don’t know if he will be OK for four weeks, four months, or four years. It’s really hard to predict.”
Abbie, who lives with partner Josh Dunkley and oldest son Jack, said she had never thought about donation before his illness.
“I campaign for it now and I can understand how people don’t think about it, as I didn’t.
“People don’t realise how serious it is until you’re in that position.
“I understand people feel unsure about donating their child’s organs but young children can only get a heart transplant from another child.”
Donation does not cross your mind until you see how many babies are suffering KERRIE CLARKE ON NEED FOR FAMILIES TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE