LITTLE Georgia Kirchin has asked Santa Claus for only one present this Christmas — the gift of life.
The six-year-old urgently needs a heart transplant and, after two years on the waiting list, time is running out.
Louis WoodLittle Georgia Kirchin has asked Santa Claus for only one present this Christmas — the gift of life[/caption]
Louis WoodGeorgia with mum Jodie, sister Millie, 11, and dad Adam[/caption]
Louis WoodMum Jodie said, ‘Georgia just wants to have a new heart so she can have a normal life and play with her friends. It would be the best Christmas present she could ask for’[/caption]
Her doctors say there is nothing more they can do and, without the operation, she will not survive.
Now, Georgia’s mum Jodie, 33, has issued a desperate plea for help and urged more people to consider organ donation.
She said: “Georgia just wants to have a new heart so she can have a normal life and play with her friends.
“It would be the best Christmas present she could ask for.”
Georgia was born with a rare heart condition called critical aortic stenosis.
It means the aortic valve, which controls blood flow to her heart, is too narrow.
She was diagnosed by doctors who saved her life when she collapsed at home at just five days.
Georgia, who has a sister, Millie, 11, spent the next eight weeks in intensive care.
By the time she was three months old, she had already had two open heart surgeries.
She has also had to have a foot amputated as one of the needles doctors put in led to complications.
Her condition started to go downhill two years ago and she was put on the heart transplant list.
Jodie, of Peterborough, Cambs, said: “It was a bit of a shock to hear there was nothing more the doctors can do for her.
“I never thought we would get to that point.
“I always thought the doctors would be able to fix it somehow.”
Despite her condition, Georgia has managed to keep going to school, although she tires easily.
One school pal is so eager to help she even offered to give Georgia her own heart to keep her alive.
Healthcare assistant Jodie, who is separated from Georgia’s dad Adam, 32, said: “It’s a waiting game at the moment but it’s her only chance of survival.
“I would urge people to consider organ donation from their whole family.
“I know that another child has to lose their life in order to save Georgia and that’s awful.
“But I want people to think about if they were in my position as a parent.
“If you would be willing to accept a donor organ, then you should be willing to give one, too.
“It’s now in the hands of strangers.
“We pray that one is found for her.”