Little cutie Florence-Ivy Langton’s smile says it all after an anonymous hero agreed to donate their liver to her.
The four-month-old baby girl has now had the transplant and is fighting to recover, but doing well in intensive care. Her family shared the snap after they were given the amazing news that a live donor had been found.
Mum Sammy Bromfield said: “That picture was taken after we were told a donor had been found, but before the transplant. That’s what good news gives you, a proper little smile like that. I can’t wait to see it again.
“She’s covered in ventilators but they say she’s doing well at the moment and she’s following a good trend.“ The donor came forward on February 27 just days after The Mirror highlighted the family’s desperate plight. Florence-Ivy had the transplant on the Wednesday at Leeds Children’s Hospital.
Sammy, 31, and the tot’s dad Jamie Langton, 29, had launched an appeal in a desperate attempt to save her life just a few weeks earlier. Sammy said she felt as if she was dreaming when told a live donor had come forward. There is no register kept for live donors as transplants of this sort are more unusual. Organs often come from friends and family but others can donate “altruistically”.
Sammy said: “The transplant coordinators called us and said ‘we’ve been given the go-ahead with the transplant with a live donor’. I just said: ‘Really? Is it happening?’ I just cried, it was like a dream. I didn’t believe it until theatre called to say they are ready for her.
“I carried her down to theatre and she was asleep in my arms. The last thing I said to her was ‘you’ve got this, girly. You’re going to have a good life now, you’ve been saved.’” Of the incredible person who came forward, she said: “All we know is that they want to stay completely anonymous. We do know they are selfless and incredible. She can have the normal family life she deserves.”
Call centre manager Jamie added: “They’re a saint, a hero.” Florence-Ivy was born in October but within eight weeks developed problems with her liver. She had been jaundiced since birth and her condition was discovered by the family’s GP.
Sammy explained how Florence-Ivy Gillian, known as “Figl” to the family, was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a bile ducts blockage, when she was eight weeks old. The family, who live near Scunthorpe, Lincs, launched the appeal after she entered end-stage liver failure.
The donor had to be aged between 18 and 50, and in blood group, 9.5 stone or lighter and physically and mentally fit. They must be smoke and drink-free eight weeks before the transplant and female donors must not have given birth within the last six months.