It’s tragic news no parent wants to hear: At 12 weeks pregnant, Jess Evans learned that one of the twins she was carrying was terminally ill and wouldn’t survive more than a day or two.
The baby, who was named Teddy, had anencephaly, a rare and fatal condition that prevents the normal development of the brain and the bones of the skull. Jess and her partner, Mike Houlston, were told Teddy would be stillborn or would die very shortly after his birth.
Doctors offered the option to abort Teddy, but Jess and Mike refused. “We thought that even if we had a moment with him, or 10 minutes, or an hour, that time was the most precious thing that we would ever experience,” Jess told Britain’s The Mirror.
After coming to terms with the news, she and her husband decided to explore whether there was any chance their baby boy could become an organ donor.
Baby Teddy was born on April 22 last year and died 100 minutes after he entered the world. Just three minutes after his death, doctors carried out a pioneering surgery to donate Teddy’s kidneys and heart valves. He became Britain’s youngest-ever organ donor and saved an adult stranger’s life.
“He lived and died a hero,” said Mike. “It’s impossible to explain how proud we are of him.”
Adds Jess: “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.”
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, no one is too old or too young to be a donor—the condition of the organs matters more than age. More than 123,000 people in the U.S. are currently on the waiting list for a life-saving organ transplant, and 21 people die every day while waiting for a transplant. One organ donor can save up to eight lives.
Jess and Mike say they hope their baby boy’s story will inspire other families who know they will lose their child. Says Jess: "Knowing part of your loved one is living on in someone else is comforting.”
Baby Teddy has already inspired other people to give: A JustGiving donation page his parents set up in honor of him to raise money for a charity that supports bereaved parents has already earned $16,500.
The baby, who was named Teddy, had anencephaly, a rare and fatal condition that prevents the normal development of the brain and the bones of the skull. Jess and her partner, Mike Houlston, were told Teddy would be stillborn or would die very shortly after his birth.
Doctors offered the option to abort Teddy, but Jess and Mike refused. “We thought that even if we had a moment with him, or 10 minutes, or an hour, that time was the most precious thing that we would ever experience,” Jess told Britain’s The Mirror.
After coming to terms with the news, she and her husband decided to explore whether there was any chance their baby boy could become an organ donor.
Baby Teddy was born on April 22 last year and died 100 minutes after he entered the world. Just three minutes after his death, doctors carried out a pioneering surgery to donate Teddy’s kidneys and heart valves. He became Britain’s youngest-ever organ donor and saved an adult stranger’s life.
“He lived and died a hero,” said Mike. “It’s impossible to explain how proud we are of him.”
Adds Jess: “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.”
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, no one is too old or too young to be a donor—the condition of the organs matters more than age. More than 123,000 people in the U.S. are currently on the waiting list for a life-saving organ transplant, and 21 people die every day while waiting for a transplant. One organ donor can save up to eight lives.
Jess and Mike say they hope their baby boy’s story will inspire other families who know they will lose their child. Says Jess: "Knowing part of your loved one is living on in someone else is comforting.”
Baby Teddy has already inspired other people to give: A JustGiving donation page his parents set up in honor of him to raise money for a charity that supports bereaved parents has already earned $16,500.
No comments:
Post a Comment
WE LOVE COMMENTS, POST A COMMENT