When Emma was 3 weeks old, she developed meningitis causing severe brain damage and hydrocephalus. She had shunts implanted to drain the fluid from her brain and body. She had 26 operations on her brain before reaching the age of 7. Emma also had severe epilepsy and Autisim.
These combined disabilities caused Emma not to talk or do anything for herself. Through the years, Emma beat all the odds- doctors, nurses and specialists said that Emma would never walk, talk, and survive her sugeries. Her parents were told that she wasnt going to make it, but she did because she was as strong as an Ox.
Emma was the most loving, sweetest and funniest little character around and always had everyone on their toes. Anyone that knew or met Emma feel in love with her personality- such a special little girl who stole everyones heart.
Suddeny on Monday 31st October, Emma had been sick, vomit had got into her lungs and starved her brain from oxygen which caused her to have a cardiac arrest.
Emma was in a deep coma without medication, her heart was extremely weak and wasnt breathing on her own.
On Thursday 3rd Novemeber, after the medical staff at RVH had done all they could for Emma, response tests and a brain stem scan unfortunately showed the worse news the family would ever hear. Emma had passed away, leaving her family completely heartbroken and lost.
Emma's mother Andrea decided that she would give the gift of life to other people by donating Emma's organs. Although the family will never know the 10+ recipients that received Emma's organs they have some comfort in knowing that she is still out there.

I am a close family friend of the Hegney and McAllister family who recently lost their beautiful daughter, sister and aunt Emma.

We all know how difficult it is to grieve when someone we love passes away and I just want to give some comfort and support to the family at this time of sadness in any way I can.