Family hope son will get third liver transplant

Teddy's second liver donation has begun to fail, and he has been on the organ waiting list since December

The mother of a three-year-old boy who is waiting for his third liver transplant is appealing for more people to join the organ donation list.

Teddy was born with the rare disease neonatal haemachromatosis, and his two previous transplants have failed.

Emma, from Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, described the wait as "heartbreaking".

"There's so many families out there like us, but their lives could be dramatically changed with the help of a donor," she said.

Teddy was rushed to King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London within hours of birth, where a biopsy revealed his diagnosis.

"His liver essentially went into acute liver failure, and he was put on the super-urgent list for any liver available in the UK," said Emma.

"It was traumatic to say the least", for the family, which includes husband Greg and their older son Theo, she added.

Fortunately, a match was found when he was 10 weeks old.

Mum Emma is unable to take him to soft play or baby groups in case he picks up an illness and misses his ideal match, she said

Emma said: "We will always be eternally grateful to his first donor; she is his superhero - he wouldn't be here without her and her amazing family's decision to support her wishes."

However, the transplant failed, and after much soul-searching, Emma decided to donate part of her own liver.

"Me going into major surgery as well as him going into major surgery puts a lot of stress on the family, but I thought it was the easiest way for Teddy, not knowing how long he could be on the list for and that he might not get it in time," she said.

Teddy was 21 months old when he received this donation, but it has also started to fail because the veins have become blocked.

'Bitter-sweet'

In the last 10 years, more than 350 people in the East of England have died waiting for a transplant, according to NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).

Earlier this year, the organisation said its waiting list had reached its highest level ever recorded, with 8,000 people actively waiting for a transplant across the UK.

Anthony Clarkson, its director of organ donation and transplantation, said: "You are more likely to need a transplant than you ever are to be a donor - and most of us would accept an organ if we needed one – but far fewer of us have made the decision to donate."

A law in 2020 made all adults in England potential donors unless they opt out, although relatives are consulted and can block organ donations.

"It is so bittersweet, as the last thing you want is for people to pass away, but they do, on a daily basis," said Emma, adding that one person can donate up to nine organs.

"It's so many people just waiting and waiting for that call, and hopefully it will come soon for Teddy."