‘Her little half a heart is very tired’: Final moments before girl, 2, dies while waiting for a donor

A photographer has captured a family’s heartbreaking final moments before their two-year-old daughter passed away while waiting for a heart transplant.

Adalynn Rogers was born in Tennessee with a congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome that affects normal blood flow through the heart.

After a courageous fight and countless surgeries, she died at a children’s hospital on January 26, in the arms of her parents, Kristina and Justin, and young brothers.

Photographer Suha Dabit, who has set a Facebook page called ‘World of Broken Hearts’, was with the family when they said their goodbyes.

“There aren’t any words to describe the pain and love I witnessed,” she wrote on Facebook, where the photos have been shared.

“Thank you for allowing me to share with the world such personal and intimate moments.”

Prior to her death, her parents explained their daughter’s birth defect, saying “her little heart is very tired”.

“Her life shouldn’t have to be this hard … and if I could I would give her my heart to make sure she didn’t suffer anymore,” her mother Kristi Rogers wrote.

Adalynn was farewelled at a memorial service last week, attended by family, friends and nurses.

“I don’t think I can even put into words how that felt, or how numb or empty I feel now,” her mother wrote.

“The only thing getting me through the day is knowing that she isn’t in pain or scared anymore.

“I want to thank everyone for the support and love we’ve received during this time. Addy was so loved by everyone.”

In Australia, approximately one in 100 babies suffer from a congenital heart anomaly, with approximately six babies born with a defect every day.

Similar statistics have been recorded in the United States.  

Adalynn’s parents have set up a benefit page to raise money in their daughter’s memory, and awareness around congenital heart defects and organ donation.

“Fly high baby girl,” photographer Suha Dabit said.

“You fought so hard and touched so many lives.”