Superb news for 'Super Ted' transplant baby Ted Parks

Dec 11 2009 The Journal

ORGAN transplant baby Ted Parks has received the new heart his family pray will save his life.

The six-month-old became the first of four youngsters on Berlin Hearts, at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, to undergo a potentially live-saving transplant operation.

Medics confirmed he received the new organ on Tuesday and has been making steady progress since.

Consultant paediatric cardiologist Richard Kirk last night warned the three remaining patients would die if they don’t receive hearts.

Re-stating the North East baby heart unit’s difficulty to operate at full capacity with so many youngsters relying on Berlin Hearts, he urged families to sign up to the donor register save lives like Ted’s.

Dr Kirk said: “We’re obviously thrilled Ted has his chance for a new heart, but our thoughts are also with the donor family, we are very sad for their loss.

“Having four children on Berlin Hearts reduces our capacity to carry out operations because we don’t have the intensive care beds.

“It means we have to put off other heart operations for children, which is not something anyone wants.