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'Dáithí's letter from Bill Clinton stopped me in my tracks'

Rebekah Wilson
BBC News NI
Máirtín Mac Gabhann Dáithí is lying in a hospital bed with tubes around him. He has short brown hair, smiling at the camera and is doing the thumbs up - he is wearing a patterned hospital gown with coloured numbers and cartoons. Máirtín Mac Gabhann
Dáithí's 7th anniversary of being on a waiting list for a heart transplant falls on 2 June

A young boy from Belfast has received a letter from a former US President.

Dáithí Mac Gabhann who inspired a change in Northern Ireland's organ donation rules received a silver envelope through the letterbox on Thursday.

The letter was embellished with "William Jefferson Clinton", who many will know as Bill Clinton.

Dáithí's dad, Máirtín Mac Gabhann said the letter "stopped me in my tracks... the fact someone like President Clinton took the time to write this letter is amazing".

Dáithí's Law was named after seven-year-old Belfast boy Dáithí Mac Gabhann, who has been on the waiting list for a heart transplant since 2018.

The legislation means that most adults in Northern Ireland are now considered as potential organ donors after their death, unless they actively opt out.

PA Media Máirtín Mac Gabhann and Dáithí outside Stormont, Máirtín is wearing a grey jumper and has short brown hair, Dáithí is wearing a black suit with a pink tie and short brown hair. He is waving his hands in the air. PA Media
Máirtín Mac Gabhann and Dáithí outside Stormont when Dáithí's law was passed in 2023

Mr Mac Gabhann told BBC News NI it was as if fate helped Dáithí receive this letter.

"Dáithí and I were at (Belfast) City Hall to see the Secretary of State at a Good Friday Agreement event but he was running late... so we took a tour of the Freedom of the City Exhibition."

When they went to view the exhibition Mr Mac Gabhann said President Clinton and Senator George Mitchell had been a couple of the last to receive the honour, in 2018.

Dáithí also received the honour in 2023 in recognition of his campaign to raise awareness around organ donation.

"I just had a thought and I reached out to Queen's and said I've written letters out about Dáithí and everything that's happened," Mr Mac Gabhann said.

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He added that a response did come from Senator George Mitchell quickly because he had still been in Northern Ireland to respond.

But the letter from the former president was something unexpected.

"Dáithí hit a big redner, jaw on the floor... he knew this was big... he couldn't believe it... he was even getting a bit emotional about it all."

He added that it's so positive to have this letter as Dáithí is about to reach his 7th anniversary of waiting for a heart transplant.

"It gave us a much needed boost... Dáithí is stable now but this letter has saved the day for us... as he had been at hospital."

Dáithí's 7th anniversary of being on a waiting list for a heart transplant falls on 2 June.

Máirtín Mac Gabhann Letter sent from President Clinton to Máirtín Mac Gabhann, signed by the President. Máirtín Mac Gabhann
The letter sent to Máirtín Mac Gabhann from President Clinton

In the letter to Dáithí, President Clinton said he was "so proud" to share the Freedom of the City honour "with someone as amazing as you".

"Keep up your great work and know that you have a big fan pulling for you in New York."

President Clinton ended the letter with one message - "Keep going!"

"It was just an amazing letter, I got a separate letter from President Clinton and he said 'Your letter took my breath away. Press on!' and that's momentous," said Mr Mac Gabhann.

Speaking about his son, Mr Mac Gabhann said it has been a long fight and journey for Dáithí but "luck has been on our side" and "the hope is what keeps you going".

He reiterated his call for those to consider joining the organ donor register and to talk about it with family and friends.

"We rely on the community, our close community, far and wide... don't forget about us. At our lowest points they (the community) have brought us up... as has President Clinton."