Scotland's 'child of courage' tragically dies after receiving lung transplant

Daily Record

a day ago

Zac Gunn tragically passed away on Monday, June 9, surrounded by his family.
Scotland's " child of courage" has tragically died just weeks after receiving a lung transplant.
Zac Gunn, 7, sadly passed away on the evening of Monday, June 9, surrounded by his loved ones. Zac, from Motherwell, had received a lung transplant at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London on May 17.
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The brave youngster was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension, a rare and extremely serious condition that affects the heart and lungs, in 2019. He put up a brave fight with his illness until the end.
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Announcing the tragedy online, staff at Cathedral Primary School in the Lanarkshire town remembered Zac as the "most beautiful, gracious and courageous boy."
A statement from the school reads: "It is with a heavy heart and much sadness that I share the news that Zac Gunn passed away on the evening of Monday 9th June, surrounded by his mum, dad and gran. Zac received a lung transplant in Great Ormond Street Hospital on May 17.
"During his short life, Zac lifted the spirits and brought deep joy to more people than most of us could ever hope to touch in our lifetime. Zac was, quite simply, the most beautiful, gracious and courageous boy I ever encountered and he never failed to live his wee life to the absolute full.
"Zac leaves a huge hole in each of our hearts and in the Cathedral school community. He will be sorely missed.
"We send our sincere condolences to Zac's family, particularly to his mum and dad, big brother and gran, assuring them of our love and prayers at this sad and difficult time.
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"There wasn't a more devout wee boy than Zac. We ask Jesus to receive him into his loving arms in heaven, where there will be no more tears, pain or suffering."
Zac was awarded the Child of Courage prize at the Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards in 2022. At the time, he walked the star-studded red carpet in Edinburgh alongside his beloved mum, Ashley, and dad, Gordon, before he scooped the award.
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Pictures from the event show Zac beaming from ear to ear as he lifted his well-deserved trophy.
After presenting him with his award, Olympic curler Eve Muirhead said: 'To show such bravery and determination despite being so ill is awe-inspiring.'
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Zac was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension after doctors ruled his blood vessels were too small for his heart to be able to pump blood through his body. He received the transplant last month from another child who would have been seriously unwell.
Mum Ashley and dad Gordon previously told how it broke their hearts knowing that another youth would have to have died before their son's life could be saved. Because he was so small, his donor had to be under nine-years-old.
As the opt-out system for organ donation does not apply to children under 16, Zac's life depended on a family making a difficult decision while their own child lay dying.
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Speaking at the time, Ashley said she hopes the parents who found themselves in the horrendous situation would realise that although their child's life cannot be saved, their organs could save the lives of others.
Ashley told the Record: 'Zac is a very poorly little boy, although looking at him you would never know. He is in desperate need of a new set of lungs and is living on borrowed time.
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'His dad and I were over the moon when he was put on the transplant list back in March especially as the new opt out law had kicked in, which we thought would increase the chances of finding a donor.
'But our joy was short-lived when doctors told us because he is so small Zac can only accept lungs from a baby or child up to the age of nine, which means a child will have to die for his life to be saved.
'Our hearts sank even further when we discovered the opt out law does not apply to anyone under the age of 16 which means parents will have to give their consent as their child lies dying. It's a horrible situation for any family to find themselves in, especially if they didn't see the question coming.'
Motherwell Football Club paid tribute to "one of our own... the bravest little boy".
A statement reads: "Sadly, we have lost one of our own. The bravest little boy Zac Gunn has lost his battle. His story of courage and bravery touched so many people. We will never, ever forget him. We send our condolences to the full Gunn family at this horrible time. RIP, Zac."