A north-east schoolgirl who had a heart transplant when she was just 15 months old is aiming to get families talking about organ donation.
Eloise Lowrie wants to raise awareness of the need for young organ donors, and encourage families to consider it if the worst was to happen.
The 10-year-old, from Rothienorman, had lifesaving surgery when she was just one after being born with a condition that meant the left side of her heart was not working.
She had her first surgery when she was 24 hours old and a second at seven months, with a third planned for before her fifth birthday.
But a blood clot meant doctors had to reconsider their options, and after a seven-week wait on the organ donor list she had a heart transplant at just 15 months.
It has allowed Eloise to lead a normal life, and last week she brought home two bronze models for tennis and swimming at the British Transplant Games.
Yesterday, her mother Sarah said it was a miracle considering the complications her daughter has overcome.
And she said that without the “brave and courageous” donor family who made the “incredible decision” to donate their child’s organs, her daughter would not be here today.
“Without the organ donor, I wouldn’t have my daughter – it really is as simple as that,” Mrs Lowrie said.
“They were selfless enough to offer those organs to save at least seven other children and without them I wouldn’t have a daughter.
“It is also a lot harder to get organs for children than adults, and even then if you are signed up to a register, the people around you are the ones that make the decision.
“So we want to encourage people to talk to their family and friends about it – I know it’s not something people want to talk about – but if the worst happens at least you have already had that conversation and know the wishes of your loved ones.”
Talking about her time at the games, Eloise said: “I really liked taking part in the games, it was really fun and I liked the tennis the best.
“I’d really like people to donate their organs to help people like me.”
A spokeswoman for NHS Blood and Transplant said: “There are always people of all ages in need of a transplant. While some organs from adults can be used in children, some organs such as hearts and lungs need to be matched for size and therefore need to come from children. Without families making these decisions to donate the many children and adults waiting for an organ simply wouldn’t get the transplants they so desperately need. Make sure your family know you want to be an organ donor.”
To find out more, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 2323.