Christmas is a special time for all of our families but for Daniel and Becci Gregory, it has a special significance, as it was on Christmas Eve last year that their five month old son, James, was placed on the waiting list for a liver transplant.
“It was a very difficult time,” says Daniel. “Knowing how poorly he was, that his only hope was a transplant but that there is a shortage of donors was very tough. I had hoped to be able to give him a part of my own liver, but I was not a good enough match for him and that was a real blow.”
As his parents waited for a donor to become available, they began fundraising for CLDF and raised an amazing £5,800 in just three months. And in March, after 73 days on the list, James received his new liver.
“James has gone from strength to strength since the transplant and we will never be able to express our gratitude to the family of his donor for the most wonderful gift. They are constantly in our thoughts and prayers and we would ask everyone to please share their organ donation wishes with their loved ones,” says Daniel. “Our first Christmas as a family was spent in hospital so we are very much looking forward to our first Christmas at home.”
Alison Taylor, Chief Executive of CLDF, added: “We are incredibly grateful for Daniel and Becci’s fantastic fundraising effort at what was such a difficult time for the family and delighted that they can enjoy a family Christmas at home this year.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has fundraised for us during 2020. It has been the most challenging year in the history of the charity. Your support truly means the world to us. We wish all our supporters and families a very happy Christmas and all best wishes for 2021.”
