Breaking news: Heart transplant girl Zoe dies

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Monday, July 14, 2008
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This is HullandEastRiding

Heart transplant toddler Zoe Chambers has died.

Despite only recently celebrating a full year of good

health, the two-year-old from west Hull lost her battle for

life after having a transplant on June 28 last year.

Zoe's sudden death comes after fantastic progress since the

life saving surgery.

She had spent seven months in three different hospitals,

suffered six heart attacks and survived for 100 days attached

to a Berlin Heart – a £100,000 piece of equipment that does the

work of a heart.

It was at this point, the need for a new heart had become so

desperate, Zoe was fast-tracked to the top of the European

transplant list.

A heart became available and Zoe underwent the surgery on

June 28 last year.

The operation went smoothly and, after a short stay in

Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, Zoe returned home to Hull.

Since then Zoe went from strength to strength, she reduced

her medication to only one a day – down from more than 30

different tablets, began eating proper food, enabling her

family to remove the gastric nasal tube and in March of this

year she took her very first steps on Mother's day.

She had been planning on taking part in the British

Transplant Games in Sheffield in August.

Carol Olley, a paediatric representative for Transplant

Sport UK, confirmed Zoe had died.

She told the Mail: “We are greatly saddened at the loss of

Zoe Chambers, one of our youngest members.

“Transplantation offers a renewed quality of life to people

with life threatening conditions and for children, the chance

to start living their life after illness however, longevity can

not be guaranteed.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Chambers family at

this sad time.”

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48 Comments

  • Profile image for This is HullandEastRiding

    by Lisa Sundin, whitley bay

    Monday, July 21 2008, 11:00AM

    “My little boy was Jack was in the freeman at the same time as zoe and i saw them on many an occassion in clinic she was a beautiful little girl and so brave. Our thoughts go out to the family through this difficult time. R.I.P XXX”

  • Profile image for This is HullandEastRiding

    by Pete, Hull

    Tuesday, July 15 2008, 1:42PM

    “deanwho and suzette, sorry did not know another pete had written and had the nasty comments withdrawn..could not understand why the comments where made against mine as I was sympathising with their plight while at the same time counting my blessing for having a healhy life for me and my grand children and knowing the best treatment was available should any of us need it.”

  • Profile image for This is HullandEastRiding

    by Steve, City til I die!

    Tuesday, July 15 2008, 11:18AM

    “Sympathies to the family, RIP little girl!”

  • Profile image for This is HullandEastRiding

    by phil, east hull

    Tuesday, July 15 2008, 1:14AM

    “As a chosen few have decided to air their views of each other here i have created a lasting tribute for Zoe for genuine people to leave their condolences. Please look for lasting tribute, Zoe Chambers on this site.”

  • Profile image for This is HullandEastRiding

    by Rich?Pete, Hull

    Monday, July 14 2008, 11:34PM

    “Echoing what Rich (1) said, don't use this sad time to be a moron, please on behalf of us all, just because your mates can give you verbal, don't come on to the comments and carry it on!

    So sorry and deapest sympathies and warm love and regards to Zoe's family, this is the cruelest blow lifa can dish out, we saw Zoe, celebrating and having fun, we now celebrate her short life, even those who where not related nor friends, but knew Zoe through the media, we wept when we saw her on the heart machines, we wept with happiness when we saw her playing, now we weep for her passing.
    Zoe's Mum and Dad and family, cherish the good times, no matter how short .
    Thinking about you at this sad time
    XXXXXX”

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