"Women recount joyful sensations of renewal as they discuss their life-changing experiences following organ transplants"
Transplanting organs can be a lifesaver. Whether the organ comes from a recently deceased individual or a living donor, transplantation has helped over 100,000 people in the UK alone. Today, we chat with two remarkable women who had their lives rejuvenated through transplants.
Sharing a Piece of My Liver with My Daughter
At 62, Denise Young, a teaching assistant, was an unlikely hero. But after donating part of her liver for her daughter Kelly's transplant, she single-handedly saved a life. Living with her husband, David, 68, Denise narrates their heartwarming journey.
"Welcoming baby Kelly home was a dream come true, but unbeknownst to us, there was a hidden concern," Denise begins. When Kelly was six weeks old, a health visitor noticed yellowing in her eyes. After several tests, Kelly was referred to King’s College Hospital in London, where she was diagnosed with biliary atresia – a rare liver disease.
As Kelly's bile ducts weren't functioning, her liver was being poisoned. After a failed operation at 10 weeks old, she was put on the transplant list. In the face of intimidating odds, Denise and David felt scared but held their faith in Kelly's medical team firm. When they heard about a living liver transplant, they decided to explore their options.
"We had extensive evaluations, including a thorough psychological examination to ensure we understood the risks," Denise explains. Miraculously, both Denise and David were compatible. As the breadwinner, they chose Denise as the donor. "I am proud to say that Kelly has lived an extraordinary life," Denise shares proudly. Today, Kelly is a competitive swimmer, having won over 200 medals and represented King’s College Hospital at the British Transplant Games since 2002. Team GB was no barrier for her dedication, as she’s represented them at the World Transplant Games since 2007.
"She's always been a fighter," Denise adds with a smile. "Her glass is always half full, and I feel unimaginably grateful and blessed to have had the chance to save her life." Kelly expresses her gratitude, saying, "What Mum did has always made me feel that we share a special bond. I am extremely grateful that she was willing to put her own life at risk to save mine. Thank you, Mum!"
Breathing Life Back with a Double Lung Transplant
At 28, Vicky Pettersen faced an unexpected challenge. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the tender age of three, she had always clung to a ray of hope. But by the age of 28, her health had deteriorated rapidly, and she was placed on the transplant list.
Born in the 70s, cystic fibrosis was relatively unknown at the time, and Vicky didn't receive testing as a newborn. CF is a genetic disorder that causes thick mucus in the lungs and digestive system. Her parents were warned that she might not survive beyond her teens.
"My dad explained to me that one day, I might need a double lung transplant to extend my life," Vicky recalls. Against the odds, she lived to see her late twenties. When she was 23, she gave birth to her son, Antony. By the time Antony was five, Vicky was on permanent oxygen and intravenous medication, with little quality of life.
Faced with the possibility of a shortened life, Vicky made the most of her remaining time and married her long-time love, Erik. When the hands of death seemed to close in, Vicky was put on the transplant list once more. And then, she received the miraculous call.
Vicky's surgery took place around midnight at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. Miraculously, she was off ventilation by the next day and pedaling an exercise bike just two days later. "I only knew my donor's age and the cause of their death," Vicky says. In their passing, they had given her a renewed lease of life – a truly profound gesture.
Vicky living to see her son, Antony, grow up and eventually marry was a dream beyond imagination. "Two weeks after surgery, we took Antony to a wildlife park, and I remember running alongside him, feeling free and alive," Vicky shares with heartfelt gratitude.
Over two decades have passed, and Vicky continues to cherish each day. Diagnosed with arthritis, diabetes, kidney damage, and a blood disorder, she maintains a strict medication regimen to preserve her health. "I love simple pleasures like picnics by the sea and gardening," Vicky reveals with a soft smile. "I don't need wealth or travel. My transplant allowed me to have a husband, Erik, and be a mother to Antony."
This heartfelt story first appeared in the April 2025 issue of woman&home magazine.Subscribe to the magazine for just £6 for 6 issues!
- Denise Young, a teaching assistant, donated a part of her liver to save her daughter Kelly's life, rejuvenating both their lives.
- Kelly, who was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease, is a competitive swimmer, having won over 200 medals and representing King’s College Hospital at the British Transplant Games since 2002.
- Vicky Pettersen, born in the 70s, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of three and received a double lung transplant at the age of 28.
- Vicky's son, Antony, was five when she was on permanent oxygen and intravenous medication, but she got the chance to live and see Antony grow up and eventually marry.
- Transplants have helped over 100,000 people in the UK alone, offering a second chance at life and fostering hope for those in need.
- In addition to caring for her health, Vicky enjoys simple pleasures like picnics by the sea and gardening, appreciating each day and cherishing her family.
- Today, womens-health magazines like woman&home feature inspiring stories of brave women like Denise and Vicky who have defied the odds and found new meaning in life through transplantation and health-and-wellness journeys.
