A big thank you to Kelly for sharing her transplant story which she wants to give hope to others.
I was born on New Year’s Eve in 1993. When I was six weeks old, my health visitor noticed the corners of my eyes were yellow. And two days later at my local hospital they confirmed I had liver disease!
So I was immediately rushed to Kings College Hospital, London for a stressful week of testing to find out I had biliary atresia. At eight weeks old, I had a Kasai operation but unfortunately it was not a success, and I became more sick.
I was put on the transplant list at four months old. At this time, my parents were told of a pioneering technique where part of a family member’s liver could be used and if they would consider it as I was quickly deteriorating, which they of course said yes to.
On August 10th 1994, when I was just eight months old my mum donated part of her liver to me, making me just the sixth case in the UK to have a liver living related transplant.
I have had no liver issues since and have lived a healthy 30 years so far. As I was growing up, my family and I received a lot of support from Children’s Liver Disease Foundation. My mum and grandparents attended the conferences many times, and me and my brother Ryan used to go to the children’s activities which were put on during this event. I know that my family found the support– whether it was through literature, networking or going to conferences – to be outstanding and the charity has always meant a lot to us. Fourteen years ago my brother, Ryan, completed a tandem skydive to raise funds for CLDF and to promote organ donor registration and I hope that by sharing my story I can help other families who may be wondering what the future holds.
I work as a swimming teacher which I find so rewarding and always tell the children and adults about the British Transplant Games which I compete in every year to promote the Games themselves and the wonderful gift which is organ donation.
