Platelet Recipient Story - Fiadh

We would like to introduce ourselves; we are the proud parents of our son Rian and daughter Fiadh from Cork. Rian was born first and then came Fiadh.

Fiadh is truly the miracle baby who was born prematurely at 31 weeks gestation. Disaster struck in the labour room when Fiadh was born detached from her umbilical cord. We will never forget it. She had to be resuscitated, ventilated, received blood transfusions, had suspected seizures and liver and kidney damage.

As parents our hearts were broken to be told by the Neonatal Team that our precious little girl wasn't expected to survive. We stayed by her bedside and watched the Medical Team day in and day out fight for our little girl.

Then came a ray of sunshine, not only did our brave little girl survive, but she began to thrive and eventually meet all her development milestones. We could not be more proud of our fighting baby girl.

But unfortunately the sunshine did not last, when she was 9 months old, she was diagnosed with a childhood cancer called neuroblastoma. Our precious little girl had to fight to live again.

She was transferred to St John’s Ward in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. My wife stayed in the Hospital with Fiadh, and I would travel up and down weekly. I was very lucky that my employees understood what we were going through as a family.

Fiadh received chemotherapy throughout her treatment in Crumlin. In between treatment she received many platelet and blood transfusions. It was at this time we would often think of the selfless people who donated platelet and blood transfusions. We would be forever grateful to these amazing people who we do not know. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Fiadh is now nearing her second birthday; she is cancer free and a very happy little girl. Her strength and determination is a huge source of inspiration to our friends and Family.

We are so lucky to still be a Family of four, and you the donor who we will never know, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.    

Dad Criostóir and Mom Sarah