Our Hearts Are Joined Forever

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They are the families who are never meant to meet – one celebrating the gift of life, the other mourning the tragic loss of their child – but they share an unbreakable bond that will last a lifetime.

Born with a serious heart condition, 18-month-old Charlie Clode is alive today thanks to the amazing gift he received from Cailee Ward, whose heart valve was donated after she died tragically at just nine months.

“For us, it’s been very special to get to know about Cailee, her sister Caitlyn, and their parents Donna and Niel. They will always be a massive part of our lives,” says Charlie’s grateful mum Mel Clode, 38.

An anonymous letter and a post on social media broke down the barriers of anonymity in organ donation and allowed the families to make contact. Mel and her husband Daniel, 44, wrote to thank Cailee’s family for the gift that saved their son.

“When Mel’s letter came, it was that last piece of the puzzle we needed to start moving on,” says Donna, who wears a charm of two teddy bears holding a heart that Mel, who has the same charm, sent with the letter.

“We both wanted to find each other and it was a proactive effort,” adds Mel.