Melbourne mum donates kidney to save two-year-old son
A Melbourne mother has saved her two-year-old son’s life, donating him a kidney.
Alice Woods-Barnard said she didn’t think twice when doctors told the family little Levi needed both kidneys removed after being diagnosed with a very rare genetic kidney disease.
“Why wouldn’t you want to save your kid’s life if you could?” mum Alice said.
“It’s such a precious gift having a child, let alone being able to give them a second chance at life as well.”
The cheeky two-year-old had both kidneys removed and was being kept alive on daily dialysis before the transplant last month.
Both Levi and his mum had surgery at the Monash Medical Centre, with Alice going first and Levi heading into the same theatre an hour later.
Doctors say had Levi not received a new kidney, he would have died.
“This condition if not treated is very life threatening, survival would be virtually zero,” nephrologist Dr Amelia Le Page said.
Alice’s kidney should last around 12 years in Levi before he will need another transplant, which is where dad Reece is waiting to step up.
“Yeah, I’m keeping one in storage for him,” he said.
“He will need another kidney and when the time comes for that, if they’ll take mine, then he’s got it. It’s his.”
