Glasgow dad opens up about donating kidney to daughter
Little Orla was born with a rare genetic condition which left her in hospital for months on end.
Last updated 30th Aug 2024
A Glasgow man is insisting he's not a hero for giving a kidney to his two-year-old daughter born with a condition leaving her with blood pressure tension.
Orla Flynn didn't get out of hospital until 22 weeks and struggled to breathe before being paired with her dad Liam.
He underwent the operation last month and is now recovering.
"You never think you are going to be in this position until you are.
"She has been in and out of hospital around 30 times since being born and the last time she was in for three months.
"That's when they decided to give her an emergency transplant."
Looking to the future
Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease is a childhood condition which affects the development of the liver and kidneys.
Sometimes they can fail.
Orla has grown in strength since the transplant but still needs to learn to walk.
Liam added: "People keep telling me I am a hero, but any dad would do the same for their child.
"I can see my kidney in her belly now which is a nice reminder of the journey we have been on together.
"We've got a long way to go but I hope it is a step in the right direction to a happy and healthy childhood for her."
Importance of being a donor
Originally from Doncaster, Liam wants to emphasise the importance of being an organ donor or even giving blood.
He added: "Orla has had three of four blood transfusions and will probably need another kidney in the next decade.
"The average lifespan of a donated kidney is 10 or 15 years."
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