Glasgow Live reported in March last year that time was “running out” for young schoolgirl Brie, who was placed on an urgent list after her condition deteriorated.
12:07, 06 Jan 2026Updated 12:54, 06 Jan 2026
Brie McCann received a life-saving heart transplant days before Christmas
A Glasgow family received a “miracle” just days before Christmas as their six-year-old daughter was given a “second-chance at life” heart transplant. The life-saving call came in early December, ending the family’s “worst year ever” on an incredible high.
Mum Jodie McCann said she and husband Gary have their “baby back”, after months of fighting for her life. Brie, 6, was born with Ebstein’s anomaly; a rare condition that affects the flow of blood through a valve in the heart.
Glasgow Live has been following Brie’s journey since March 2025, reporting that time was “running out” for the schoolgirl, who was in desperate need of a transplant after her condition deteriorated and she was placed on the urgent list.
Mum Jodie told us that days before her daughter’s transplant, Brie was placed on ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) which is a life-support machine acting as an artificial heart, pumping blood outside the body through a device that adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide, allowing the patient’s own organ to rest and heal from severe failure.
Brie, 6, had spent months in hospital and towards the end was fighting for her life(Image: Supplied)
Brie had deteriorated quickly, and was given just a 20% chance of survival. But that all changed when the McCann family, from Robroyston, received the news they had been waiting for all year – Brie had a new heart.
Jodie, 34, said: “Within hours, Brie was transferred to Great Ormond Street in London, with Gary and I getting the earliest flight to be with her – not being able to travel with her was really tough, it’s all a blur really.
“Brie was taken into surgery later that day and five hours later she was out. After two days she opened her eyes and squeezed my hand, it’s a moment we’ll never forget… I can’t even describe the feeling, we are so grateful.
“I’m in awe of her, she’s incredible, I say she is my role model. She is doing amazing and it’s all thanks to this transplant.
“It truly is a miracle; we have our baby back.”
Little Brie enjoying a few Christmas treats!
Brie spent five days in London and was ready to get back to her “second home”, Ward 1E at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children where she spent three days recovering. Staff had decorated her hospital room for Christmas and placed a ‘Welcome Home’ sign above the door and a poem on the wall. Jodie added: “The staff are guardian angels on earth, they feel like our second family, they always went above and beyond for Brie.”
Brie – who had been a patient Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children since July 29 – was finally discharged and home just in time for Christmas. The family-of-four were reunited and “just couldn’t believe it”, with Jodie saying she felt “complete”. The six-year-old is going from “strength to strength”, and is up on her feet and playing with her little brother Oran– she has “defied all odds”.
The McCann family describe it as a ‘miracle’
The family now enter 2026 excited for what’s to come and are “embracing every minute and making memories”. Jodie added: “It really has put everything into perspective. At one point I didn’t think we’d be here, I’m just so grateful, life is too short.”
The family continue to share the importance of organ donation. For more information, or to register, click here.