'She was my superhero': Atlantic row in memory of daughter, 13, who died after battling heart condition
The Saoirse O'driscoll Late
The father of a little girl who died aged 13 after a long battle with illness is rowing across the Atlantic in her memory.
John O’Driscoll will raise funds for children born with congenital heart disease in Ireland.
Mr O’Driscoll lost his 13-year-old daughter, Saoirse, in April, who died after a long battle with a heart condition.
The little girl had been placed on the emergency transplant list but sadly lost her fight four days later in Crumlin Children’s Hospital.
To honour her fighting spirit, Mr O’Driscoll has embarked on a mission to row across 4,800km from San Sebastian de La Gomera, Spain to Antigua.
After starting the race on December 11, he is currently rowing alongside teammates Conor McCarthy, Daragh Kelly, Enda McNicholas and Roger McMorrow.
Mr O’Driscoll said Saoirse’s illness never held her back. Now, he aims to do “something inspirational” in her name.
“My daughter Saoirse was a vibrant 13-year-old girl full of life and passion. She was born with a complex heart condition. In many ways, day to day life for Saoirse was like an Atlantic crossing fraught with unknowns and stormy conditions. The things that most of us take for granted were daily challenges for Saoirse,” he said.
Even though Saoirse was struggling with her health, she lived her life to the fullest.
“She loved school and her teachers. She had many hobbies over her short life including gymnastics, dancing, yoga, swimming, art, baking, video making, playing the bodhran and even tried out trapeze after watching The Greatest Showman many times,” Mr O’Driscoll recalled.
“Saoirse never let her illness hold her back. She was a kind and thoughtful young girl who always considered others and how she might help them.
“I always told her that she was my superhero, and I would like to do something inspirational in her name. Saoirse inspired me every day of her short life.”