Dublin boy, 9, born with half a heart backs appeal after doc makes noble hol sacrifice during first Christmas in surgery

Harry went under the knife when he was just a few days old and has had multiple operations since
A YOUNGSTER born with half a heart is trying to raise funds for a hospital and its staff who give up Christmas for poorly kids

Little Harry McCormack, nine, spent his first Christmas on life support in Crumlin Hospital after he was born with a rare condition called Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome.

The serious congenital condition means part of Harry’s heart was underdeveloped and he has spent large stretches of his life in hospital for care and procedures, including his first open heart operation at just two days old.

However, after more than 10 serious heart surgeries, little Harry is thriving and is looking forward to spending another exciting Christmas at home with his brothers and sisters.

The McCormack family, from Ballyfermot in Dublin, are now trying to give back and are urging people to support the Save a Smile campaign for the Children’s Health Foundation which helps fund the expert team at the Children’s Heart Centre in Crumlin hospital.

Loving mum Leanne told the Irish Sun: “When we were asked to help we jumped on it because of everything Harry has been through.

“People read his story and if they are going through a diagnosis or they have a child in there – we want to just give people hope.

“Obviously the main thing is fundraising for the hospital – it is so important all the time but especially at Christmas because it gives a little more twinkle for the parents and siblings in there.

“For us now, Christmas is extra special because we know what we’ve been through. It is so much better.

“You always have this thought in your head on Christmas Day of what it was like on that day for his first Christmas so many years ago.”

Little Harry went under the knife when he was just a few days old.

Since then, he has had more than ten serious operations and procedures including a number of open heart surgeries under the care of experts at Crumlin Hospital.

During his first Christmas stay in hospital, one of his doctors even abandoned last minute shopping with his wife on Grafton Street to come to the hospital to care for Harry.

It was this dedication from the staff that led Harry’s parents Leanne and Keith to sign up to the Save a Smile campaign to try to raise funds for the hospital and helps to pay for “extras” such as play equipment and supports for families.

And little Dubliner Harry is passionate about helping the hospital himself as he wants to thank the staff who have taken such good care of him over the years.

He told the Irish Sun: “I really want to thank everyone that cared for me while I was in hospital and helped me so much.”

Harry is now enjoying school at St Ultan’s Primary in Ballyfermot as he continues his care for his condition.

Mum Leanne said: “He has his good days and it’s mostly good days now. He is a typical nine year old.

“He gets tired and he knows his body so he just knows when he has to step out of something to take a break.”

Harry’s family are working with the Children’s Health Foundation on the Save a Smile campaign this Christmas to help raise funds for the hospital where he got his lifesaving care.

The charity is running a Christmas Jumper Day on December 8th.