Five children saved by organs of teenager

FIVE children, including a critically ill baby who was born without a small bowel, will benefit from the organs of a Moneymore teenager who died in hospital in England following an asthma attack at home.
Lee Campbell, who has donated his organs following his untimely death.Lee Campbell, who has donated his organs following his untimely death.
Lee Campbell, who has donated his organs following his untimely death.

Lee Campbell (14), a pupil at Sperrin Integrated College in Magherafelt, passed away in Leicester a week after falling ill at his home earlier this month.

Now, his parents David and Samantha have made the courageous decision to donate Lee’s organs so that other children will be given a chance at life.

The teenager collapsed at his home on Saturday, August 3 around 10pm after complaining about feeling out of breath.

His father administered CPR while a rapid response unit made their way to Moneymore. He was then taken to Antrim Area Hospital and later flown by RAF helicopter to England. However, Lee’s condition had deteriorated so much that his parents had to make the heartbreaking decision to switch off his life support machine.

His brothers Eoin (15) and sisters Nicola (13) and Shannon (11) were flown by private jet to Leicester to be by his bedside before he passed away.

However, it is believed Lee’s heart has gone to a 13-year-old boy from London and his small bowel to a critically ill baby who was born without one. There are also three other children believed to be receiving Lee’s organs.

Requiem Mass was celebrated at Holy Trinity Church in Cookstown on Monday morning (August 12).

A statement on Sperrin College’s website where Lee was a pupil reads: ‘The Board of Governors, Principal, staff, pupils and parents of Sperrin Integrated College wish to express their sincere condolences and heartfelt regret on the death of Lee Campbell, pupil of Sperrin Integrated College. Our deepest sympathy is extended to his parents, Samantha and David, brother Eoin, sisters Nicole and Shannon and the entire family circle.’

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