25/05/2026
An update on 8 yr old, Aoife Duggan from Ballydesmond, Cork who has been awaiting a heart transplant in the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle for the past eight months, supported by a Berlin heart device. Grainne and JJ have sent us some photos of Aoife's Holy Communion, which was made in hospital, together with a reminder of the importance of organ donation.
Aoife was surrounded by family and friends and the nurses, doctors, play therapists and hospital staff who have become part of her daily life during the long wait. Her older sister Orlaith came from home where she has been looked after by her Nana and extended family while Aoife and her parents are in the UK. She was also joined by best friend, Moira, and cousin, Darragh, who made their own First Holy Communion the previous week in Ballydesmond alongside Aoife’s classmates.
Her parents, Gráinne and JJ, say, “It’s not the setting we imagined for our little girl’s Communion day, but there was more love in that chapel than we could ever ask for. The day was filled with love and gratitude despite the difficult circumstances".
They want to share their daughter’s story to raise awareness around organ donation and the life-changing impact it can have for families like theirs. “We have been in the Freeman Hospital for eight months now waiting for that call,” they said. “You never think about organ donation until you need it, but for families like ours it means hope. We would encourage every parent to have that conversation and think about becoming organ donors.” Get you donor card at https://ika.ie/donorcard
Heart Children sends very best wishes to Aoife, Grainne and JJ. It's such a very long time to be away from home and hopefully it won't be too much longer before Aoife gets her new heart. In the meantime, can you send them your support by leaving a message below?
