A six-year-old at the forefront of the campaign revolutionising organ transplants in Northern Ireland has been presented with an award from the UK's highest office.
Dáithí Mac Gabhann and his family had been campaigning for years to overhaul Northern Ireland's organ transplant system and bring it into step with the rest of the UK and some of its European neighbours.
Previously, the onus had been on individuals to actively choose to be an organ donor.
Thanks to Dáithí's campaigning, from June 1, the country will implement an 'opt-out' system, which means people are automatically listed as donors unless they specify otherwise.
Northern Ireland's parliament named the new model Dáithí's Law in honour of the youngster. The June 1 date marks the fifth anniversary of his name being put on the wait list.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak presented Dáithí with a Points of Light award on Wednesday for his tireless campaigning during his years on the transplant waiting list.
The award is given to one member of the community each day to recognise significant contributions to society.
Mr Sunak handed it to Dáithí in person during a visit to Northern Ireland alongside Joe Biden to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday peace agreement in Belfast.
"Every day I write a letter to thank someone for doing something remarkable for others. Today is very special, because I get to thank you," Mr Sunak wrote in a letter accompanying the award.
"The bravery and determination you have shown in campaigning to change the law on organ donation in Northern Ireland is truly inspiring.
"In your father's words: "exceptional things happen for exceptional people." I agree with him that you are truly exceptional and so I am delighted to recognise your courage."
Dáithí 's father Máirtín said the award was a tremendous honour and a testament to his son's work.
"I am bursting with pride today as my son Dáithí Mac Gabhann has been recognised with a Points of Light award from British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak," he told the ABC.
"Not many six-year-old boys have their very own law, but I am proud to say that my boy does.
"Dáithí's story has been helping others who are waiting on the gift of life, and we hope to raise enough awareness of organ donation through his story that it will one day help save his life too.
"I am so proud of the kind and compassionate person he has become, and I know that he will continue to make a positive impact in the world for years to come."
Just over a week ago, Dáithí' was granted the Freedom of Belfast award. His peers in that accolade include Queen Elizabeth II and Bill Clinton.
A young life spent waiting
Dáithí was born in 2016 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which means the left side of his heart did not form properly.
He has been on the organ transplant waiting list since 2018.
In February, Dáithí underwent a cardiac procedure in hospital. His parents said they were "nervous" in the lead-up to the procedure, however mere hours afterwards, Dáithí sat up in a power pose for a photo for his campaign followers – a testament to the young boy's resilience.
Paediatric heart transplants are particularly challenging. The size of the heart is of vital importance when finding a suitable donor.
According to the UK's public health service, the NHS, the requirements mean on average child will spend more than twice the amount of time waiting for a donor than an adult patient would.
The NHS says nearly a quarter of the children on the waiting list for an organ transplant are in need of a heart.
Dáithí's Law overcomes political barriers
The introduction of the law had been held up by Northern Ireland's political difficulties stemming from Brexit disagreements.
While the devolved Northern Irish Legislative Assembly at Stormont passed Daithi's Law in February 2022, it requires additional legislation, which was not able to be passed in the parliament's collapsed state.
The law was instead passed through Westminster.
Last month, Northern Ireland's Public Health Agency published figures showing just over 53 per cent of the population had registered as an organ donor, but in polling, around 90 per cent said they supported donation.
"There still exists a gap between intention and action," the agency said.
Passing Dáithí's Law brings Northern Ireland into step with England, Scotland and Wales, which have all introduced opt-out donation models in recent years.
Switzerland, Austria, Finland and Italy are among the UK's European neighbours also operating under the opt-out model.
Australia remains opt-in
Australia operates under the opt-in organ donation model.
Those wanting to donate their organs or tissues have to sign up through the Australian Organ Donor Register.
For years, Australians had to tick a box on their drivers licence to opt in to the system, however between 2005 and 2012 this was phased out everywhere except South Australia in favour of the electronic register.
More than 7.5 million Australians have opted in to become an organ donor in the event of their death, which is roughly a third of the population.
