A young Belfast boy who is asking Santa for a new heart this Christmas has entertained the nation on breakfast TV.
Dáithí Mac Gabhann from Ballymurphy appeared alongside dad, Máirtín, who has dedicated himself to campaigning for organ donation, on Tuesday's edition of Good Morning Britain on ITV.
The 8-year-old is in urgent need of a heart transplant and his health is 'declining'. He now uses a wheelchair and relies on oxygen at home.
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Dáithí has been waiting for a new heart since 2018 for a transplant and all he wants is the chance to play, run, and laugh like other children his age.
He was born in 2016 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a congenital heart condition where the left ventricle is smaller than usual and is unable to pump blood around the body as well.
The youngster sparked an outpouring of emotion after he and his dad appeared on our TV screens earlier this morning. But despite his incredible resilience, it seems the early morning wake-up call to appear on national TV was all a bit too much for Dáithí.
After breaking into a loud yawn and stretching he suddenly couldn't believe his luck as he turned to his dad with a huge grin on his face and asked: "Am I really on TV right now?"
Presenter Kate Garraway then replied: "You really are. All your friends from school will be able to see you", before asking if he wanted to wave hello to any of his friends at home.
A shocked and excited Dáithí immediately lit up with excitement and gave a big wave to all those watching him back home.
The heartwarming moment lit up social media with messages of support flooding in for Dáithí, as viewers praised his bravery in the face of his condition.
Last week, to mark Organ Donation Discussion Day on December 11, Máirtín said Dáithí dreams of receiving a new heart from Santa this Christmas, so he can have the energy to play with his friends and experience life as any child should.
He said: "Words can save lives. That’s the reality of organ donation, and for Dáithí, those words are his best chance. Dáithí’s health is getting worse, and it’s heart-breaking to see him understanding more of his reality.
"All he wants for Christmas is to be like his friends—to have the energy to laugh, run, and play like any normal 8-year-old."
For more information about how to join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk.
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