Some stories are written in years.
Dominic’s story was written in seven days — seven days filled with courage, love, and the strength of a family who loved him beyond measure.

A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

When Dominic’s parents first heard the words “hypoplastic right heart syndrome,” their world stopped.

At their 28-week pregnancy scan, doctors discovered that Dominic had a congenital heart defect so severe that only half of his heart was functioning. They were told that he might not survive. The diagnosis shattered every dream they had imagined — yet from that moment, they promised to give their baby every ounce of love and strength they had.

They began to prepare for what lay ahead: long hospital stays, surgeries, uncertainty. But life, as always, had its own plans.

A Premature Arrival

At 32 weeks, on 23rd November 2021, at 8:14 a.m., Dominic decided he couldn’t wait any longer.
Weighing just 3.5 pounds, he came into the world — small, fragile, but perfect in every way.

The medical team rushed him straight to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). For the first 24 hours, he was on a ventilator. Then, to everyone’s astonishment, this tiny warrior began to breathe on his own.

With the help of medication and the tireless work of his doctors, half a heart kept fighting — proof that even the smallest hearts can hold unimaginable strength.

Hope in Small Steps

Day by day, Dominic grew stronger. His parents watched with cautious optimism as his monitors beeped rhythmically beside him — each sound, a heartbeat of hope.

He began tube feeding formula milk, as his mother’s milk hadn’t come in yet. Every milliliter mattered. The goal was to help him gain enough weight to prepare for the first of three open-heart surgeries that might save his life.

Slowly, he began to gain weight — tiny victories celebrated in quiet whispers beside his crib. His parents dared to dream again. Maybe, just maybe, their little boy would make it.

The Night Everything Changed

On 31st November, at 11:40 p.m., the phone rang.
The hospital asked them to come immediately.

When they arrived, Dominic was back on the ventilator. The NICU was filled with doctors and nurses working frantically around his fragile body. The once-steady rhythm of hope was replaced by alarms and urgent whispers.

After countless tests and scans, the doctors discovered that Dominic had developed necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) — a dangerous intestinal infection that can strike premature babies without warning.

He was quickly transferred to another hospital for emergency surgery. His parents followed, numb with fear but holding on to hope.

A Battle Too Big for One Tiny Heart

Hours later, the surgeon came to speak with them. His face said it all before the words left his mouth.

Dominic’s bowels had completely ruptured. The infection had spread so far that the entire intestine would have to be removed — but without it, he would never be able to gain weight. And without gaining weight, his tiny heart could never withstand the surgeries it needed.

There was nothing more they could do.

The words hung heavy in the air, crushing every bit of hope his parents had been clinging to. In that moment, they faced the impossible — the reality that their baby boy’s fight was coming to an end.

A Final Goodbye Filled with Love

Dominic was surrounded by love until his very last breath.

His parents held him close, whispering how proud they were of their little warrior. His brothers and family gathered around, wrapping him in warmth and tears.

On 1st December, just one week after his birth, Dominic gained his wings — leaving behind a family who would love him forever.

His mother recalls, “We held him, kissed him, and told him how much he meant to us. He was surrounded by love, free from pain. Our special boy had given us the best week of our lives.”

Remembering Dominic: More Than Just One Week

Though Dominic’s time on earth was brief, his story continues to echo through every person who hears it. His short life carried more courage than most people show in a lifetime.

For his parents, grief became a new kind of love — one that never ends, only changes form. “Dominic chose us to be his mum and dad,” they say. “And for that, we’ll be forever grateful.”

They now share his story to raise awareness of hypoplastic right heart syndrome (HRHS) and congenital heart disease (CHD) — conditions that affect thousands of families each year. By telling Dominic’s story, they hope to remind others that behind every statistic is a baby, a family, a heartbeat.

A Message of Hope and Awareness

Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect worldwide. Many, like Dominic’s condition, are not detected until late in pregnancy — or sometimes, even after birth.

Early detection can make a difference.
Awareness saves lives.

Dominic’s parents want other families to know the importance of prenatal scans, early testing, and specialized care. But beyond the medical side, they want people to understand the emotional reality — the strength it takes to love a child knowing every heartbeat could be the last.

Their courage in sharing their pain is a gift to other parents who have experienced similar loss. It’s a reminder that even in grief, there is connection. Even in tragedy, there is hope.

Legacy of a Little Fighter

Dominic may have lived for only seven days, but he left a legacy that will last forever. His story continues to inspire compassion, courage, and awareness for childhood heart conditions.

Every year, his family lights a candle on his birthday and whispers, “We love you, our special boy.”

They imagine him free from tubes and monitors, playing somewhere beyond the clouds, his tiny heart whole and strong.

And though his parents’ arms are now empty, their hearts are forever full — filled with the love of a boy who fought with half a heart and gave them everything.

Dominic’s Story Lives On

Dominic’s story is one of bravery, heartbreak, and love beyond measure.
It reminds us that every heartbeat matters, no matter how brief.

For his family, those seven days were a lifetime of memories — proof that love does not need years to be eternal.

Dominic — you gave your parents the best week of their lives. You fought harder than anyone could imagine. You are forever their hero, their heartbeat in heaven.