Family notices from the ThisIsAnnouncements.co.uk, with readers' tributes and messages.

Zoe Chambers : Obituary

Published on the ThisIsAnnouncements.co.uk website on 15th July 2008

This notice has had 43 visitors and has 10 messages, 2 candles and one image.

12th July 2008

Just two weeks before she died, Zoe Chambers and her family were celebrating the new life a heart transplant had given her.

On June 28, the first anniversary of the life-saving surgery, two-year-old Zoe was partying with family and friends after taking her first steps, reducing her medication and planning an appearance as the youngest entrant at the British Transplant Games.

But on Saturday - 12 July, 2008 -tragedy struck.

It isunderstood that Zoe fell ill at the family home inwest Hull.

She was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary's paediatric accident and emergency department, where doctors battled to save her life.

But, despite their best efforts, Zoe passed away.

Today, as Zoe's parents, Julie and Rob, both 34, grieve with Zoe's six-year-old brother Dylan at home, tributes have poured in for the youngster who in the past year amazed doctors with the speed of her recovery.

Dr Richard Kirk, the transplant cardiologist at Newcastle Freeman Hospital, where Zoe spent many months before and after surgery, said staff were in shock.

He said: "We accommodate half the transplant children in the country and they don't come any more special than Zoe. Her death is a terrible tragedy.

"All the staff at the hospital who helped Zoe when she was here are devastated.

"Zoe spent a long time in our care, from first being admitted through to the after-care she received, and we get very close to the children, so it's utterly devastating when they suffer."

Before getting her new heart, Zoe suffered six heart attacks and survived for 100 days attached to a Berlin Heart – a £100,000 piece of equipment that kept her alive.

The need for a new heart became so desperate Zoe was fast-tracked to the top of the European transplant list and at one point doctors gave her 24 hours to live.

After her transplant Zoe returned home and had been going from strength to strength.

She began eating proper food, enabling her family to remove a gastric nasal tube, and on Mother's Day this year she took her first steps.

Dr Kirk saidhe had been treating Zoe for about 18 months and the circumstances surrounding her sudden death were uncommon.

He said: "What happened to Zoe is so unfortunate and extremely uncommon.

"To die after a year following the huge steps forward she had taken is unheard of in our experience.

"She was doing so well. We expected her to take much more time to recover, but she didn't and that was testament to her strength."

Zoe had become an icon for organ donation nationally.

A spokesman for UK Transplant said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of Zoe's sudden death and our thoughts are with her family.

"Zoe and her parents have played a significant role in encouraging more of us to join the NHS Organ Donor Register."

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Hi, Sadly i am...

Hi,
Sadly i am in contact with precious Zoe's family since their loss as i to have lost a child, Lewis to a serious heart condition.
I like to think that Zoe, Lewis and all the other little ones who have grown their angel wings to early are playing together in heavens garden, safe from pain.
Little Zoe, such a beautiful little girl, always remembered
love & support to the family.x
Karen.
www. thelewispriorfoundat ion. org

Report this message By karen prior on 13th Jan 2009
To the parents and...

To the parents and family of Zoe, I am so sorry about the death of your little angel, she was such a little fighter. I see her face on here and it brings tears to my eyes. I'll pray for your angel and she will be watching over you xxx

Report this message By kirsty A on 10th Oct 2008
Goodnight, Godbless Zoe, our...

Goodnight, Godbless Zoe, our beautiful, brave precious little angel. You were the light to our darkness sweetheart, I don't know how we will go on without you... You fought so long and so hard, and you were cruelly taken from us at your most magical. We will miss you every minute of every day. We love you so much. We are so grateful for the time we had with you - but oh how we wish it could have been so much longer. We were truly blessed for knowing you darling and we will never, ever forget you. My thoughts and prayers to Julie, Rob and Dylan.
Sleep peacefully Zoe, our memories of you will last forever..
Love - your heartbroken Auntie - Jill Sharp XXXXXXX

Report this message By jill sharp on 26th Jul 2008
Lit candles:
- jill sharp
  26th Jul 2008
- jill straw
  15th Jul 2008
So touched by Zoe's...

So touched by Zoe's courage, so grateful of your support when we were alongside you in the Freeman. I'm at a loss for what to say other than you have our deepest sympathies.
Thinking of you all.
Paul, Anna & family.

Report this message By Paul Bannister on 24th Jul 2008
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We are saddened and...

We are saddened and grieve with and for you all. Time can heal and at least you spent a liitle more time with your darling Angel Zoe.
We hope that she will be remembered for her wonderful smile. She showed us all how truly special she was. Cry all you need for tears help the pain and then smile for your little Angel is smiling. She knows she had the the greatest gift of a chance and a family that loved more than words can say.
Rest Now Little One x

Report this message By mark stephens on 24th Jul 2008
Hi Julie Rob and...

Hi Julie Rob and Dylan. My name is Kerry Robson, not sure if you remember me. I am a nurse at the Freeman intensive care unit where Zoe was. I am totally devastated by the news. Zoe was the most gorgeous loving little girl. I am very honoured and proud to have met and had the pleasure of caring for such a special little girl. My thoughts and love are with you all. If I can be of any help please contact me, love to you all
Kerry Robson
picu

Report this message By kerry Johnson on 24th Jul 2008
To all of you...

To all of you who knew and treasured little Zoe, so very sorry to hear of your loss, complete tragedy, Zoe may have gone to heaven to be an angel but your memories won't. Until you meet again one day. R.I.P. Zoe.

Report this message By Samantha Lewis on 21st Jul 2008
So sad to hear...

So sad to hear of the loss of such a lovely little girl I'm sure I speak for all of the staff of Lloyds Pharmacy as well as from myself that after seeing Zoe go from strength to strength it's such a shock our thoughts are with Julie, Rob, Dylan and the rest of the family.

Report this message By caroline edwards on 18th Jul 2008
So sorry to hear...

So sorry to hear of the lost of your beautiful daughter zoe god bless you my thoughts are with you and your family gone but not forgotten.

Report this message By Joyce Howell on 17th Jul 2008
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We watched you from...

We watched you from when the story made the headlines to where we saw you playing happily, I cannot believe that you have left us. God Bless you twinkle, a twinkle of a starlet up in Gods Heaven with all the other stars, but yours is the brightest, sweet dreams little one

Report this message By Richard Leeson on 16th Jul 2008