Maeve celebrates new lease of life

SCHOOLGIRL Maeve O’Donoghue is living proof of how
organ donation can give those with debilitating illnesses a new lease of life.

Looking at her now, it’s hard to imagine that this
bubbly nine-year-old was battling with liver and lung disease this time last
year.

Maeve, who is a twin and lives in Clontarf, was born
with liver disease, which was put at bay through an operation when she was just
nine-weeks-old.

However, in 2010 doctors discovered that the liver
disease had returned and it had spread to her lungs.

“She didn’t have any noticeable signs or symptoms at
that stage,

? her mother Sylvia Webb told Northside People.

“We went to London where she was assessed and told
that a transplant was the only option.

“She was considered and listed as an urgent case in
November because of the presence of lung disease.

?

A liver transplant was the only option available to
Maeve and the only source of hope for her family.

Maeve’s condition deteriorated with every day and week
that passed. She couldn’t concentrate and was exhausted much of the time as her
young body struggled with her illness.

In early February, the family got the all-important
call that a liver had become available and they were flown by Government Air Corps
to London for the operation.

“Maeve was excited about going on a helicopter,

?
Sylvia recalled.

“She was quite relaxed but also a little nervous, as
you’d expect.

“She’s a fantastic little girl and we were all quite
astounded that she bounced back so quickly after it.

“The doctors had said the recovery time would be four
to six weeks but within five days her lungs were working perfectly again and
within 12 days she was home.

?

A liver donation can be shared between two recipients.
A child only requires 40 per cent of an adult size liver leaving the remainder
to be donated to another donor.

Maeve has been thriving ever since and enjoys an
active and fun-filled life shared with her twin sister Alannah.

Sylvia, who is an advocate for the Children Liver
Disease Ireland support group, hopes that people will be encouraged to carry an
organ donor card and more importantly that they discuss their intentions with
all their loved ones.

“Lots of people carry cards and intend to be organ
donors but what they might not realise is that if one of their family members
disagrees with this wish, doctors won’t go ahead with taking the organs,

? she
explained.

“That’s why it’s absolutely vital that people who wish
to donate discuss their intentions and wishes as soon as they make the decision
to become organ donors.

?

Sylvia also highlighted how important her prompt
timing was when Maeve attended her six-week check as a baby when the liver
disease was first discovered.

“It was by luck that we had her six-week check exactly
at six weeks,

? she stated.

“She was diagnosed and operated on within three weeks.
After nine weeks the success rate for that operation dramatically decreases.

“Some people can be very relaxed about the timing of
these check-ups and may book an appointment at seven or eight weeks after the
birth but those two weeks can make all the difference.

?

This week is Organ Donor Awareness Week, organised by
the Irish Kidney Association and supported by the Irish Donor Network. If you
would like an organ donor card, freetext the word DONOR to 50050.

For more information about Children’s Liver Disease
Ireland, visit www.Cldi.ie