This is probably the greatest and saddest story we will ever read about kidney donation. If you don't read this in total awe of the people who agreed to the transplant, you have no soul.
When she was a mere 12 weeks pregnant with twins, Jess Evans was told that one of her sons was suffering from a rare and fatal condition, which prevents the brain developing properly. Their son-to-be, Teddy, had anencephaly, a rare and lethal abnormality. He was likely to be still born, or die very soon after being born.
The doctors offered Jess and her partner Mike Houlston the option of an abortion, but they wished to see and love their child, no matter how short a life he would have. Then after a while they considered organ donation, although initially they were told this would not be possible. When born their son, whom they named Teddy, lived for just 100 minutes. Doctors then carried out a transplant of his tiny kidneys, a mere 4cm in length, into an adult man. The tiny organs were fully functional even in the womb, and will grow to full size while saving the recipients life.
Paul Murphy, of NHS Blood and Transplant, described Teddy’s donation as “exceptional”.
“Every donation is inspirational. It is a selfless act of heroism,” he said. “But Teddy’s story is exceptional. He was the youngest organ donor in the UK.”
I have no idea of the dreadful pain this couple went through, but everyone must admire their generosity and heroism. It would break most people. Fortunately the other twin had no problems and lives on, which must be some comfort for them. They deserve the utmost respect.
You can read more on the BBC News site and on The Guardian newspaper's site.
