One year of hope

Law campaigned for by the Mirror boosts family's faith

- JEREMY ARMSTRONG

LITTLE Evie Green will today have spent a whole year in hospital as her family hopes their prayers for a new heart will be answered soon.

Her parents Chloe and David hope that Max and Keira's Law, which has hugely boosted the number of registered organ donors thanks to a campaign by the Mirror, will be their four-year-old's passport to a new life.

And Chloe, 28, and David, 35, have spoken of their deep appreciation for Evie's round-the-clock NHS care at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.

"We knew it would be a long wait, but hoped it might end sooner," said Chloe.

"For Evie it is a year on the list.

"On the NHS website, it says the average wait is 88 days. The reality is so much longer, especially for children.

"I think the Mirror campaign has done so much to raise awareness.

"If one person reads this and thinks about organ donation, it is worth it.

Evie, who suffers from dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease which affects the heart's muscles, is one of 244 children awaiting a transplant - 42 need a new heart.

Her parents paid tribute to the dedication of staff caring for Evie and other children on Ward 23.

In recent weeks, the kids have met Newcastle United footballer Alexander Isak, members of the Durham cricket team, and the stars of Newcastle Theatre Royal's production of Pinoc"

"The ward gets admissions all the time," said Chloe. "It is like a family as we spend so much time together. It is very humbling as so many former patients and families come back to show their love."