‘Letter to Dáithí made us emotional’

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”.

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

“Dáithí and I were at Stormont 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.

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.

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.”