The parents of a baby girl who passed away just three hours after her arrival have spoken of the profound impact their daughter had in her tragically brief life.
Emma Lee and her husband Drew from Newmarket welcomed twins Josh and Hope last week, but were acutely aware that the time spent with their little girl would be significantly shorter than with their little boy.
Having been informed 13 weeks into her pregnancy that her daughter was suffering from Anencephaly, Hope's heartbroken mother, despite doctors' offers, chose to carry her daughter to full-term in the hopes she could give the gift of life to someone else upon her arrival - a desire which was made a reality when Hope subsequently became the UK's youngest organ donor last week.
While deciding to donate their daughter's organs didn't come easy, Hope's parents are adamant they made the right decision and believe the heartfelt move will help with the healing process
Opening up about the family's heartache, Emma explained: "It's quite a heartbreaking decision to make. If it was in different circumstances and she had just passed away after birth I think the decision would not have been that easy."
"But as we had known for so long we just felt it was right. We were so pleased it went ahead. Just knowing she has done some good in her short life. We're proud she's achieved a lot in her short life," she said as she reflected on the condition with which her daughter was diagnosed - one which prevents the brain and the skull from developing properly.
In addition to donating Hope's kidneys and liver cells to other patients, Emma and Drew's decision to carry Hope to full term allowed the grief stricken family time to bond with their little girl before her untimely demise.
Reflecting on this time, Drew said: "Hope looked beautiful, like a little doll even though she had so much wrong with her. We now feel our little girl is a hero."
Paying tribute to the child who has offered others a chance at life, NHS Blood and Transplant Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation, Sally Johnson, said: "Hope's parents are rightly very proud of their daughter and the gift she has given."
Acknowledging the family's grief, she extended sympathy and gratitude, saying: "We are very grateful to Emma and Andy for making such a courageous decision and to offer a chance of life to others at a time of personal loss. Hopefully their decision will continue to offer them comfort."
Our thoughts are with Hope's parents, her big sister Maddie and her twin brother Josh at this incredibly difficult time.
