Falmouth woman raising vital funds for hospital that saved her from acute liver failure
23-year-old Olivia Wills, who studied at Falmouth Uni, was transferred more than 200 miles to King's College Hospital in a medically induced coma
Last updated 29th Aug 2023
A woman from Falmouth, and studied at Falmouth Uni, who spent nine days in a medically induced coma is now raising money for the hospital that saved her back in 2019.
23-year-old Olivia Wills went to her GP after feeling unwell - was soon rushed over to Kings College Hospital in London with acute liver failure.
She'll be doing the Great Hospital Hike next month as one of the 'Hike Leaders' - calling the treatment she received 'a kindness that we will never forget'.
Olivia's story
Her sudden and short battle with acute liver failure started when she felt very unwell.
Olivia has visited her GP, and was directed to A&E in her local hospital.
Whilst in hospital, she was unable to stop vomiting, her blood sugar was extremely low, and she was very disorientated and confused.
Following a number of blood tests the next morning, doctors confirmed she was in 'acute liver failure', and so was transferred to the intensive care unit.
Her condition worsened even further, and she was put in an induced coma 24 hours later.
The decision was then taken to transfer her 220 miles away - to King's College Hospital in London, where she was kept in a coma for nine days.
For 23-year-old Olivia, the battle was sudden and short. She’d felt very unwell and her GP had directed her to A&E in her local hospital, where she was unable to stop vomiting, her blood sugar was extremely low, and she was very disorientated and confused.
During that time, her parents were particularly touched by the kindness and care shown by the nurses.
Olivia never needed a liver transplant, after a successful round of treatment which meant her liver could once again repair itself.
She was then brought out of a coma a few days later, and transferred to the HDU before once again being moved to the general liver ward, and was then discharged.
Today, Olivia’s liver functions completely normally to the point where there is no evidence of her previous liver injury.
Her dad was so moved by what happened that Simon decided to donate a kidney to a stranger, and begun the process of becoming a liver donor himself.
Olivia said: "My family were told to expect the worst and to spend time at my bedside because the odds were stacked against me.
"As well as brushing my hair every day and making me look nice, staff at King's College Hospital also asked my parents questions about me – what my interests were and what I liked doing.
"This was all so they could chat to me about familiar things while I was on my own. Even though I was in a coma and unable to respond, they still made that extra effort. It was a kindness that we will never forget.
“I can’t thank King’s enough because they saved my life. Not only did they look after me but they truly cared for my family through a very difficult time. Ever since 2019, I have looked for ways to support them – leading the Great Hospital Hike is an amazing opportunity for us to show our gratitude.”
'Their stories underline the truth - that we simply never know when we might need the care of a hospital like King's
Olivia is one of two Hike Leaders - joining six-year-old George Baker, who suffered a much longer and complicated battle with illness after being diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis four years ago, with chemotherapy severely damaging his liver.
He received a donor liver - and after spending a number of weeks on a ward in the hospital, he is now recovered and back at school.
The Hike, which takes places on 16 September, winds its way through parks and woodland in South East London, in support of King’s College Hospital Charity.
The charity hopes that more than 500 hospital staff, patients, volunteers, friends and family members will hike together to raise £100,000 to take care further at King’s.
Funds raised go towards vital work such as pioneering liver research, development of play facilities for children, and enhanced support and spaces for parents with seriously ill children staying in hospital.
Gail Scott Spicer, the Chief Executive of the King's College Hospital Charity, said: “We are delighted to have Olivia and George as our Hike Leaders. Their stories underline the truth that we simply never know when we might need the care of a hospital like King’s.
The Great Hospital Hike is for everyone who has benefited from King’s care, and for everyone who might need that care in future. What makes it so special is bringing patients, families and hospital staff together to walk side by side to support King’s. Together we really can make the best care possible.”
You can find out more about the hike here.
You can sign up to the hike here.