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Mum wants to donate a kidney to give her girl a better life
 
Sharon Gillespie is hoping she can donate a kidney to daughter Eva who is gutted to be missing a concert by R&B star Chris Brown, below, while she's in hospital
Sharon Gillespie is hoping she can donate a kidney to daughter Eva who is gutted to be missing a concert by R&B star Chris Brown, below, while she's in hospital
 
 

Exclusive by Ewan Fergus

A MUM is anxiously waiting to hear if she can donate a vital organ to give her little girl the chance of a normal life.

Eva Gillespie, 12, desperately needs a kidney transplant and will discover this week if mum Sharon, 36, can donate one to her.

Without a new kidney Eva faces a lifetime of poor health, medication and the continued threat of blood poisoning caused by chronic renal failure.

Sharon has gone through tests to see if she will be a suitable donor for her daughter after tests on Eva's dad Neil, 36, came back negative at the last minute.

If Sharon is not suitable, Eva will have to go on a lengthy waiting list for a donor to be found.

Sharon said: "We'll find out on Thursday. It's what we're all waiting on. I'm very positive, really hopeful.

"When they gave me the option of being a donor, there was no question. I said yes.

"It's a very serious operation, but I didn't really give it any thought. You'd do anything for your child. That's just what you do. Yes' was something that just rolled off my tongue."

Sharon added: "Eva was diagnosed with renal failure when she was 18 months old. She's been on medication ever since.

"She's very brave. She's the healthiest sick person you could hope to meet. She just gets on with it, even if she's getting tired because of her health.

"She's on eight different types of medication now and has to take them two and three times a day and it's very difficult for her. She'll be on medication for the rest of her life.

"If the transplant gets the go-ahead it will be 20 years before she needs another kidney. It'll make her life so much more normal."

Eva's step dad, and Sharon's husband, John Kelly, 44, added: "We're very positive, everyone's rallying round.

"Once they do the transplant, we'll have both of them recovering at home together. At the moment, we're just staying positive."

Eva, from Clydebank, went into Yorkhill hospital yesterday for an operation that will allow her to be hooked up to a dialysis machine. The process will alleviate some of her symptoms, but she will still need a transplant in the near future.

And despite admitting she was just "a bit scared" about the procedure, the plucky youngster said the most annoying thing was that her hospital stay means she will miss a concert by R&B star Chris Brown tonight.

Eva, who goes to St Columba's High School in Clydebank, said: "I'm a bit scared about the operation, but I'm gutted I'll miss the concert. I was really looking forward to the show."

Publication date 13/01/09

Posted by: Scottish Rose, U.S.A. on 1:26pm Tue 13 Jan 09
Good luck to the both of you. I hope Eva that your mum is a match for you. I would most certainly do the same thing for my daughter, all the best, and good luck again!.. :)
Posted by: Fee, Glasgow on 2:19pm Tue 13 Jan 09
Praying that your mum is a match for you Eva...I'll have my fingers crossed for you both! Take care. xx
Posted by: westender, glasgow on 3:16pm Tue 13 Jan 09
Fingers crossed that you are a match for your daughter, nothing can beat the bond between a mother and daugter and im sure any mother would do the same- so i know how anxious you will be feeling.

Best wishes to you both...from a fellow Bankie x
Posted by: jamesmcg1873, Glagow on 4:09pm Tue 13 Jan 09
Agree with other posts, i'm sure everything will work out fine. I'm just starting the testing process to find out if i can donate to my son who's 2 and will need a transplant in next 18 months or so. Hope to read your good news later in week!
Posted by: anni, London on 6:05pm Tue 13 Jan 09
Good luck to both of you, as a recipient of a kidney I know what you are going through, I spent 3yrs on dialysis and as an adult it was a nightmare I cant even begin to imagine what it must be like for a young girl. Because of my renal failure all of my friends carry donor cards, one dear friend who tragically died of a brain haemorrhage had donated all of her organs that were transplanted successfully. I really hope for the best for both you, god bless and take care, and could I please say a special thank you to everyone who donates blood, it is so precious to a patient when they need a blood transfusion to know that someone bothered to take time out and do this for them. And if the Donor’s family read this, it is now 14yrs and not a day goes past that I don’t think of all of you and what you have lost and what I gained, I could thank you all day but it wouldn’t be near as much as I meant it thankyou.
Posted by: sophiee, duntocher on 7:53pm Tue 13 Jan 09
Eva Good Luck For Your Operation I Hope That You Are Okayy And Your Mum Aswell;)
We Miss You So Much At School I Will See You On Wednesday In Hospital ILYSM From Sophiee.xoxoxo.
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