A toddler from Staffordshire was urgently transferred 200 miles from her family home to undergo a heart transplant that saved her life.
Lola Plimmer, now five years old, was just one when she received the emergency surgery following a diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy, a serious condition where the heart struggles to pump blood effectively.
Initially treated at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Lola’s condition worsened, necessitating transfer by air ambulance to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. There she was placed on the urgent transplant list.
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Thankfully, Lola successfully received a new heart and has made remarkable progress since. Her mother, Ella Watt, shares how Lola is now thriving at school, growing quickly, and embracing new experiences like swimming lessons and family holidays.
“She’s coming on leaps and bounds,” Ella said. “Every day, I swear she grows an extra centimetre, and she learns something new. She just loves school and everything she takes on. It’s incredible to see how far she’s come.”
Lola continues regular check-ups alternating between the Freeman and Birmingham Children’s Hospitals through a shared-care arrangement. Her most recent appointment showed positive progress.
During the critical period awaiting transplant, Lola’s parents stayed at Scott House – a facility run by The Sick Children’s Trust – located minutes from the Freeman Hospital. This ‘Home from Home’ provide a much-needed safe place for families during such stressful times.
Ella explained the relief of having accommodation provided nearby: “Not worrying about where to stay took a lot of stress away during an incredibly tough time. It allowed us to focus on being with Lola without additional financial strain.”
Beyond accommodation, Scott House offered companionship and support as families shared similar experiences, forming a close-knit community. Ella remains in contact with some of the families she met there.
Recognising the vital role organ donation played in her daughter’s survival, Ella is now advocating for greater awareness. She hopes to encourage conversations about organ donation in schools and communities to highlight its life-saving impact.
“Organ donation is an incredible gift,” she said. “While difficult to discuss, it can truly transform lives. We need to make sure more people understand its importance.”
Lola’s journey from a critical diagnosis to a hopeful future is a powerful reminder of both the challenges and the valuable outcomes made possible by medical advances and the generosity of organ donors.
Three and a half years on from her transplant, Lola is enjoying a full and active life – something her family is profoundly grateful for.