Many children wait months and sometimes years for a transplant, but thanks to the generosity of living donors, some kids don’t have to wait. Read about the lives of four living-donor recipients and their promising futures.
Helping Sloan live up to her name
Without Lt. Steve Tenney, 7-month-old Sloan wouldn’t be nursing, beginning to roll over on her own or meeting other milestones. “I did what anyone would have done,” says Tenney, who donated a piece of his liver when Sloan was only 5 months old.
“Sloan means ‘warrior,’” her mom Sarah says. “We didn’t think she’d need to be a warrior at such a young age — but she showed us she is.” Read more about Sloan’s liver transplant.
Godzilla-loving Gavin
Monsters make 3-year-old Gavin smile. “He builds LEGO homes with his sisters,” says his mom, Sam. “And then pretends he’s Godzilla and crushes them.” Thanks to Sam’s best friend, Lauren, Gavin’s living donor, the preschooler is mastering more than just building demolition. “He’s grown and learned so much since transplant,” says Sam. “He loves books, and he memorizes them and pretends to read them.” His favorite book? “To Catch a Monster,” naturally. Read about Gavin’s transplant journey.
Mason’s got mountains to climb
Five years after receiving a kidney from his dad, 6-year-old Mason has set a lofty goal: to hike all 48, four-thousand-foot mountains in New Hampshire. He is on his way! This past summer, Mason climbed Mounts Pierce and Eisenhower.
Taking charge and living large
Since receiving her liver transplant in the summer of 2015, 14-year-old Lydia started high school, has become increasingly responsible for her medication, and loves hanging out with family and friends. As for Dawn, Lydia’s mom and living donor, she misses having her daughter on her bus in the morning, but is happy to report Lydia “always has a smile on her face.” Learn more about Lydia’s story.