December 24th 2024.
Willow, an 18-month-old toddler, has been diagnosed with end-stage heart failure, a life-threatening condition. In August, she suffered two cardiac arrests after contracting a common virus. Her mother, Elisha-Mai, described the experience as a "living nightmare." Without a heart transplant, Willow's chances of survival are slim.
The family is currently living in Bury, Greater Manchester, and they are unsure of when Willow will receive a transplant. Elisha-Mai, a stay-at-home mom, shared that the wait time for a heart transplant is currently 18 to 24 months, but it could be longer. Despite the uncertainty, she remains hopeful and describes her daughter as cheeky, intelligent, and amusing.
Willow's health declined rapidly after her first birthday when she began showing symptoms of parvovirus, a virus that mimics the common cold or flu. After several visits to the doctor and the emergency room, she was admitted to North Manchester General Hospital, where she was diagnosed with pneumonia. Unfortunately, her condition worsened, and she was transferred to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, where doctors discovered her heart failure.
Despite receiving treatment, Willow's condition did not improve, and she was diagnosed with end-stage heart failure. She was then transferred to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, over 150 miles away from her home. Her father, Luke Stansfield, makes the journey every week to be with his daughter, while Elisha-Mai stays in Newcastle.
The family is facing a difficult Christmas as Willow will be spending it in the pediatric intensive care unit instead of at home. Elisha-Mai shared that they will try their best to make the holiday as normal as possible, but it will never be the same without Willow at home.
Reflecting on their situation, Elisha-Mai and her partner never imagined they would be in such a tough position. She asks others to put themselves in their shoes and consider what they would do if their child needed a heart transplant to survive. She also hopes to break the taboo surrounding organ donation and encourages others to have conversations about it with their loved ones.
The family is not waiting for a child to pass away, but rather for someone to make the selfless decision to save their child's life. Elisha-Mai believes that a successful heart transplant would completely change Willow's life. She acknowledges that discussing organ donation can be uncomfortable, but one conversation can save numerous lives.
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