The parents of Britain’s youngest organ donor, whose kidneys were transplanted after he lived for just 100 minutes, say they hope the success of the operation will inspire other parents to consider giving consent to organ donation under similar circumstances.
Jess Evans and Mike Houlston from Cardiff decided to donate their son Teddy’s kidneys before he was born after they were told he would not survive. Teddy, the younger of twin boys, had the birth defect anencephaly, which prevented his brain and skull developing.
He died within two hours of being born, but his kidneys were used to save the life of an adult patient with renal failure.
A year after the operation, Teddy’s parents said they hoped that other parents would be given the option of considering giving consent for the donation of organs from babies with fatal conditions.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Evans said: “Although he wasn’t with us very long, and we brought him into the world knowing there was no hope of a life for him, we are incredibly proud of his heroism.
“We hope Teddy’s story will inspire families who find themselves in the position of losing a child. Knowing part of your loved one is living on in someone else is comforting.”
Houlston added: “He lived and died a hero. It’s impossible to explain how proud we are of him.”
The nurse who took Teddy to the transplanting operating theatre after he had died said organ donation from babies could be repeated despite initial scepticism from the medical team.
“We have every belief it could be done again,” Angharad Griffith, a specialist nurse in organ donation working for NHS Blood and Transplant, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
She added: “I know that Jess and Mike firmly believe that this is something they would like other families to be offered if they are in a similar position. The choice for organ donation for them was a natural decision. They just believe that families should be given the choice and it should be something considered by all families in any similar circumstances.”
It is rare for newborns to be considered as donors and it is usually first suggested by medics, not the parents, according to Dr Paul Murphy, of NHS Blood and Transplant. When Teddy’s parents first suggested the idea of donation they were told it would not be possible because he was too young.
“However, Mike and Jess were determined that it would happen and, through their efforts, a way was found,” Murphy said.
He added: “Every donation is inspirational. It is a selfless act of heroism. But Teddy’s story is exceptional. He was the youngest organ donor in the UK.”
The couple said discovering one of their sons would not survive was soul-destroying. They were offered the option to abort, but never considered it.
Evans said: “We thought even if we had a moment with him, or 10 minutes, or an hour, that time was the most precious thing we would ever experience.”
They decided they wanted their baby to help someone in need of a transplant.
Evans said: “It helps us so much to know he has helped someone else and helped doctors realise donation from small babies is possible and is something people like us want to make happen.”