Little Poppy Lambert is bravely fighting for her life as she awaits a heart transplant at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
In December 2025, Poppy underwent major open-heart surgery at the Freeman Hospital. While the initial repair was successful, she soon developed serious complications, including fluid around her lungs and heart. Over the following weeks, her condition deteriorated, requiring multiple emergency procedures and further open-heart surgeries. The strain on her body led to a small stroke, affecting her right side.
Since before Christmas, Poppy has remained in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at the Freeman Hospital. Her treatment has included ventilator support, life-saving machines such as ECMO, and ventricular assist devices (VADs) to support her heart. In February, surgeons fitted a Berlin Heart in the hope that her own heart would recover.
However, further surgery revealed that damage to her tricuspid valve could not be repaired, and the decision was made to place Poppy on the heart transplant waiting list.
Poppy is now supported by a biVAD (biventricular assist device), helping both sides of her heart while she waits for a suitable donor. She has also required a tracheostomy to help with breathing and underwent dialysis following temporary kidney failure. In addition, Poppy has received around 20 blood transfusions over the course of her treatment, alongside further blood products used to support the machines involved in her care. She has also received a donor pulmonary heart valve.
Aged just 21 months, Poppy was diagnosed before birth with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), a serious congenital heart condition, during her 20-week scan. Born seven weeks early, her care was carefully planned around the specialist treatment she would need, including heart surgery once she was strong enough.
Despite everything, Poppy continues to fight bravely every day.
Her parents, Becca and Kevin, said: “The last few months have been incredibly difficult, and nothing can truly prepare you for seeing your child go through so much, but Poppy has shown such strength every single day, and we are so proud of her.
“We are deeply grateful to the teams at the Freeman Hospital for the outstanding care, compassion and dedication they have shown throughout her treatment. Blood and organ donation have already played a vital role in supporting Poppy, and we know just how important these gifts are.
“As we wait for a suitable donor heart, we hope that by sharing Poppy’s story we can encourage people to consider organ donation and talk to their families about their wishes. That conversation could give another child the chance of life that Poppy is now waiting for.
“Please sign up for organ donation and have that conversation. You really could save a life – a life like our Poppy’s.”
Barbara Cardoso, paediatric cardiology consultant and transplant physician at Newcastle Hospitals, said: “Nothing can take away the unimaginable pain of the loss of a child. But some families find comfort in knowing that, if they choose organ donation, their child’s heart can help another child live – a legacy of love that continues. Whatever you decide, you will be respected and supported in your decision.”
Sarah Plant, lead nurse for paediatric organ donation at NHS Blood and Transplant said: “For many children on the transplant waiting list, their only hope is the parents of another child saying ‘yes’ to organ donation at a time of immense sadness and personal grief.”
“Losing a child is tragic and an impossibly difficult time, which is why I would urge parents to think about what they might do around organ donation. Families often tell us that knowing their child has helped others, and that another family has been spared the loss of a child, can bring immense comfort at a time of profound grief.
“We urge parents to think and talk about organ donation for themselves and their children today. Your decision could help save lives like Poppy’s.”
