One student received the best gift of all from his cousin who donated part of his liver to save his life.
Aaron Smith became the first patient from Northern Ireland to receive a living donor liver transplant, thanks to his cousin Robert.
The 24-year-old, from Omagh, County Tyrone, had been told it would be two years before his vital organ could be transplanted, and doctors had warned there was an 80% chance he would not receive a transplant.
He explored the possibility of becoming a living organ donor, but his parents, Jean and Don, were rejected because of their age, and his sister, Alex, did not have the same blood type.
But then his cousin, Robert, came forward and proved to be the ideal match.
Recalling the moment he was suddenly informed that he would be donating his organs, Aaron said: “At the beginning of February last year, my cousin Robert, who lives in Bedfordshire, called me to say he had heard about organ donation from his family, had called King's Hospital and been tested and found to be a match.
“He spoke with my family and said he would like to be my donor.”
Liver transplants from living donors are possible because the organs can regenerate, and donors typically provide one-third of their organ.
Aaron struggled with health issues for many years and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when he was just 14 years old.
His condition gradually worsened, leading to a liver infection and eventually to a chronic condition called primary sclerosing cholangitis.
He was unable to go to college and was placed on the transplant list in November 2015.
But the kindness of his cousin spared them a long wait and the couple flew to London for the operation in October last year, and just four weeks later, Aaron was back on the mend, thanks to staff at Todd Ward at King's Hospital.
“Robert really saved my life.”
Aaron Smith
He said: “It's been over eight months since my surgery and I feel incredibly good. I can't remember feeling this good. It's been a really long time since I've been able to do things without worrying.”
“Before, I would plan and worry that I could only do one hard thing a day, but now I can climb a mountain, play soccer or clean the house – all the normal things.”
“Robert really saved my life.”
Robert also made a full recovery after spending two weeks in hospital following surgery.
Now, Aaron is using his newfound health to raise funds for the charities that have helped him along the way.
He is particularly keen to raise the profile of the RVH Liver Support Group in Belfast, Todd Ward at King's Hospital and Live Life, Give Life, which works to raise awareness of organ donation.
Please support Aaron's fundraising campaign at www.gofundme.com/aaron-smyth.
