Five-year-old Albert Tansey is back on his feet and giggling away a little over a fortnight after having a heart transplant operation.
The Burbage youngster, born with half a heart, has been deluged with get well cards and gifts while his parents, Adam and Annita, are continuing their campaign to get people to join the national organ donor register.
Albert became an internet sensation with his version of the ice bucket challenge in which bean bag stuffing balls were tipped over him instead of ice, the shock if which could have killed him.
It grabbed people's imagination with media coverage raising awareness of the importance of organ donation.
Days later, the call came from the transplant team of Newcastle's Freeman Hospital to say a donor heart had been found.
Mr Tansey said: "The call came at 7pm. As soon as the transplant co-ordinator said 'how's Albert' I knew that was it. The ambulance arrived in about 15 minutes.
"Annita went with Albert in the ambulance and I followed.
"About three hours later, we were in Newcastle."
Albert went into theatre at about 2.30am and his parents were back at his bedside by 9.30am.
News of Albert's operation was revealed on the social media sites Facebook and YouTube.
Although it had gone well, there was concern a few days later when doctors discovered that Albert's body was producing anti-bodies at an alarming rate.
If not checked they could attack his new heart.
Mr Tansey said: "One of the reasons for it was Albert's heart was not from his own blood group.
"No other hospital in the country would have undertaken this operation but the Freeman Hospital has the best results in the world and the expertise to do it.
"We were very concerned, as blood tests every couple of hours showed the ratio of anti-bodies was getting bigger.
"Everything was on standby as there was an expectation the anti-bodies could attack very quickly. Doctors talked to experts all over the world and luckily everything kicked in."
Albert is now out of intensive care.
Mr Tansey said: "Albert now has pink lips, fingers and toes – until now he has always been rather ashen grey."
He could be home in about 10 to 14 days. But there will be no welcome home party yet.
Mr Tansey said: "We have to be very careful about keeping Albert away from infections.
"We have to be aware of the possibility of heart rejection but we have been told after the first year we can relax a little."
He said the family had been overwhelmed by the get well messages, cards and presents for Albert, who became the face of the campaign to save the children's heart surgery unit at Glenfield Hospital.
The family, through their Facebook page, are asking Albert's supporters to take a picture of themselves with an organ donor card and post them at: www.facebook.com/albertsheart
