Lara Sutherland - Liver Transplant Recipient

Lara in August Lara in June

At 8 weeks old she had her first major surgery (the Kasai Procedure). Unfortunately this corrective surgery failed and her condition deteriorated. She has spent most of her young life in Starship Hospital. Lara's liver and spleen were so huge that her abdomen was distended making it difficult and painful for her to move or eat normally so she has a naso-gastric tube inserted for feeding.

Lara progressed downhill quicker than expected and at age 5 1/2 months was placed on the waiting list for a liver transplant. After 7 weeks on the list (while we were actively looking for a live donor), and rapidly losing hope, we got the call that would change our lives - a deceased donor liver had become available for Lara.

Lara had only weeks to live so this truly was a gift of life. We all have such hope for the future now.

Highest point: Carrying her into theatre and handing her to the surgeons on transplant day. Although it was major surgery (11 hours for her!), I was so relieved that she had got another chance at life. My gratefulness to the donor and family is so huge. How to you begin to thank someone for such a gift?

Lowest point: When my husband was declined at the last test to be Lara's live donor due to a genetic disorder we never knew he had. I was so desperate for a liver for Lara I felt like walking up to strangers on the street and asking. I could feel her slipping away from us...