SERIOUSLY ill Bolton heart girl Emma Standish has been moved to the top of a transplant list after a weekend health scare.

Emma, who only celebrated her 10th birthday last Wednesday, was rushed into the high dependency unit at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital at the weekend.

Her sick heart was struggling to cope and Emma had to be put on stronger medication to help keep her alive.

Emma, of Philips Avenue, Farnworth, remained in the unit for two days with her worried mum, Deborah Cartwright at her bedside, before being moved back to a ward in the hospital.

Deborah has now been told that her daughter's condition is so serious that she is now first in line should a suitable new heart become available.

"She has gone to the top of the list," said Deborah.

The family are now anxiously awaiting news that one has been found and are prepared, at short notice, for Emma to be flown by helicopter to Newcastle where the transplant would take place.

Deborah told the BEN that with the help of short term stronger drugs Emma has been feeling better for the last two days.

The little girl was delighted last week when four friends from school turned up at the hospital to help her celebrate her 10th birthday.

BEN readers and staff sent Emma a gift of a teddy bear and another bear was handed over to her by her pals from St Peter's Primary School, Farnworth.

Nurses at the hospital also ensured she did not miss out on birthday fun by laying on a small party for her.

Until June this year Emma was a normal, lively child, but then she was struck down at lightening speed by a mystery illness which damaged her heart and left her wheelchair bound.

SERIOUSLY ill Bolton heart girl Emma Standish has been moved to the top of a transplant list after a weekend health scare.

Emma, who only celebrated her 10th birthday last Wednesday, was rushed into the high dependency unit at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital at the weekend.

Her sick heart was struggling to cope and Emma had to be put on stronger medication to help keep her alive.

Worried

Emma, of Philips Avenue, Farnworth, remained in the unit for two days with her worried mum, Deborah Cartwright at her bedside, before being moved back to a ward in the hospital.

Deborah has now been told that her daughter's condition is so serious that she is now first in line should a suitable new heart become available.

"She has gone to the top of the list," said Deborah.

The family are now anxiously awaiting news that one has been found and are prepared, at short notice, for Emma to be flown by helicopter to Newcastle where the transplant would take place.

Deborah told the BEN that with the help of short term stronger drugs Emma has been feeling better for the last two days.

The little girl was delighted last week when four friends from school turned up at the hospital to help her celebrate her 10th birthday.

BEN readers and staff sent Emma a gift of a teddy bear and another bear was handed over to her by her pals from St Peter's Primary School, Farnworth.

Nurses at the hospital also ensured she did not miss out on birthday fun by laying on a small party for her.