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The story of Jamie Gavin and his family

Today marks the 32nd year since the birth of Dubliner Jamie Gavin. He made headlines worldwide in...
Newstalk
Newstalk

11.19 30 Sep 2013


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The story of Jamie Gavin and h...

The story of Jamie Gavin and his family

Newstalk
Newstalk

11.19 30 Sep 2013


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Today marks the 32nd year since the birth of Dubliner Jamie Gavin. He made headlines worldwide in 1985 when he became the world's youngest heart and lung transplant patient in Harefield hospital, Middlesex.

Jamie's surgery was regarded as a success and he returned to Dublin to his brother John and his three sisters Leslie, Katie and Melanie. He was able to life a normal life to a certain extent and attended school with his friends, despite having to regularly return to England for tests and check ups, as well Crumlin hospital in Dublin. 

The bravery of Jamie was recognised a year after his surgery when Princess Diana presented him with a child of courage award.  

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Tragedy struck the household when Jamie passed away from lymphoma at the age of 11. Unfortunately this wasn't the grief the family has had to deal with.

You can hear the Gavin family's  extraordinary story here:


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