A toddler facing end-stage heart failure has made a heartfelt request to Father Christmas for a life-saving heart transplant.
Willow Stansfield, now 18 months old, received her end-stage heart failure diagnosis in August after suffering two cardiac arrests.
The little girl had contracted a common virus before her health severely declined, which her mother, Elisha-Mai, 18, referred to as a ‘living nightmare.’
Her mother emphasized that without a transplant, Willow’s life is in jeopardy. The entire ordeal has been ‘extremely unpredictable, distressing, and terrifying.’
The stay-at-home mother from Bury, Greater Manchester, revealed they are uncertain how long it will take before Willow is eligible for a heart transplant.
‘The waiting period has extended to 18 to 24 months for a transplant, though it could be longer or shorter,’ Elisha-Mai stated. ‘She is playful, bright, and full of life, and despite the circumstances, she strives to be the happiest little girl.’
Not long after Willow’s first birthday, she began exhibiting symptoms akin to parvovirus, which shares similarities with the common cold or flu.
Following additional consultations with her GP and visits to the A&E, along with antibiotic treatment, she was admitted to North Manchester General Hospital, where an X-ray revealed she had pneumonia.
Willow’s health deteriorated further, prompting her transfer to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, where it was ascertained that the child was suffering from heart failure.
Despite treatment, her condition did not improve, and she was soon diagnosed with end-stage heart failure.
She was then moved to Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, situated over 150 miles from her residence. Her father, Luke Stansfield, undertakes the journey weekly to remain close to his daughter while Elisha-Mai relocates temporarily to the city.
The mother expressed, ‘It’s heartbreaking for me to be alone [during the week], but it’s also difficult for Luke to leave and go home without us.’
This Christmas, Willow will be spending her time in the pediatric intensive care unit, instead of celebrating at home.
Elisha-Mai remarked, ‘We will attempt to create a Christmas atmosphere as normal as possible and maximize this challenging situation. However, it will never compare to the warmth of being at home.’
Elisha-Mai noted that she and her partner never anticipated facing such difficulties.
She urged, ‘If you were in our situation, would you wish for your child to receive a heart transplant to survive? I just ask that you consider this if you engage in discussions regarding making such critical choices for your children.’
‘We aren’t waiting for a child to pass away; unfortunately, children are already succumbing to these conditions. We are waiting for someone to demonstrate courage and make an extraordinarily selfless choice during their time of sorrow and despair to save children like Willow. A successful heart transplant could transform Willow’s life.
‘It’s a sensitive topic and I fully recognize that initiating this conversation may be difficult. Nevertheless, that one discussion can save countless lives.’
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