[the truth]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-32425666
awww bless his cotton socks, poor little teddy was born and only lived from 100 minutes before he sadly passed away....some of his organs were successfully transferred.

'Soul destroying'

Ms Evans was carrying twins when she was told - 12 weeks into her pregnancy - that one was fatally ill.

Teddy had anencephaly, a rare and lethal abnormality which prevents the brain and skull from developing.

Babies with the condition either die in the womb, are stillborn or live for just seconds, minutes or hours after birth.

Ms Evans told the Mirror that the news of Teddy's condition was "soul-destroying

Though doctors offered the couple the option of an abortion, Ms Evans said: "We thought that even if we had a moment with him, or 10 minutes, or an hour, that time was the most precious thing that we would ever experience."

As they continued with the pregnancy, the couple decided that they wanted to donate their baby's organs.


In an interview with the BBC, Mr Houlston said they were initially told a transplant was not possible because it had never been done before.

But he said hearing the news that the transplant from Teddy had gone to plan had left them with a feeling of joy, saying: "We never doubted him".

"He is still very much a part of our family today, we talk of him every day, our children talk of him, our families do, we always remember him, he is with us all the time," Ms Evans added.

The success of the transplant "helped us grieve", she said, adding: "Knowing that he was able to do such good, more good than most of us will ever do in our lifetime - it is just overwhelming how proud we are of him."

'Precious minutes'

Retrieving organs from children for transplant is rare, it is particularly unusual from newborn babies - and unheard of in those with anencephaly.

Yet his kidneys would have been fully functional in the womb.

Angharad Griffiths, a specialist nurse from NHS Blood and Transplant who helped complete the transplant, said told BBC Radio 4's Today programme she had "every belief" that a similar transplant could be successfully carried out in the future.

She said the transplant had been "challenging", particularly as they did not know if Teddy would be born alive.

Her team monitored Teddy throughout his short life, before performing the transplant minutes after he died.

bless little teddy and bless these remarkable parents , such a sweet story

[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by the truth

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-32425666
awww bless his cotton socks, poor little teddy was born and only lived from 100 minutes before he sadly passed away....some of his organs were successfully transferred.

'Soul destroying'

Ms Evans was carrying twins when she was told - 12 weeks into her pregnancy - that one was fatally ill.

Teddy had anencephaly, a rare and lethal abnormality which prevents the brain and skull from developing.

Babies with the condition either die in the womb, are stillborn or live for just seconds, minutes or hours after birth.

Ms Evans told the Mirror that the news of Teddy's condition was "soul-destroying

Though doctors offered the couple the option of an abortion, Ms Evans said: "We thought that even if we had a moment with him, or 10 minutes, or an hour, that time was the most precious thing that we would ever experience."

As they continued with the pregnancy, the couple decided that they wanted to donate their baby's organs.


In an interview with the BBC, Mr Houlston said they were initially told a transplant was not possible because it had never been done before.

But he said hearing the news that the transplant from Teddy had gone to plan had left them with a feeling of joy, saying: "We never doubted him".

"He is still very much a part of our family today, we talk of him every day, our children talk of him, our families do, we always remember him, he is with us all the time," Ms Evans added.

The success of the transplant "helped us grieve", she said, adding: "Knowing that he was able to do such good, more good than most of us will ever do in our lifetime - it is just overwhelming how proud we are of him."

'Precious minutes'

Retrieving organs from children for transplant is rare, it is particularly unusual from newborn babies - and unheard of in those with anencephaly.

Yet his kidneys would have been fully functional in the womb.

Angharad Griffiths, a specialist nurse from NHS Blood and Transplant who helped complete the transplant, said told BBC Radio 4's Today programme she had "every belief" that a similar transplant could be successfully carried out in the future.

She said the transplant had been "challenging", particularly as they did not know if Teddy would be born alive.

Her team monitored Teddy throughout his short life, before performing the transplant minutes after he died.

bless little teddy and bless these remarkable parents , such a sweet story

I saw this yesterday,what brave and lovely people,and little Teddy still lives on.

[Kizzy]

I saw this too they had just 100 minutes with him, and his kidneys are now enabling someone else to live a very bittersweet ending.
Rest in peace little Teddy.

[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

I saw this too they had just 100 minutes with him, and his kidneys are now enabling someone else to live a very bittersweet ending.
Rest in peace little Teddy.

Love the name Teddy,very bitter sweet Kizzy,but might encourage more people to do the same.

[LeatherTrumpet]

I would hope soon that organ donation is compulsory by law

[Kizzy]

I would support an opt out rather than an opt in system but not an enforced law.

[the truth]

it is compulsory unless you opt out in wales

[Vicky.]

Yeah opt out list I definitely want. If people are so against organ donation, they would be sure to opt out. All of the 'dont cares' wouldn't care either way...which would mean so many more organs for donation. As at the moment the 'not dont cares' automatically are ruled out

This story is so sad but lovely at the same time. I hate reading stuff like this that involves kids as it upsets me.

[Ammi]

..this is a beautiful story, I saw the headline but hadn't got round to reading it yet, thank you for posting it, truth...what an amazing couple and it really is a reminder that most people are great and inspiring, we just hear so much of the awful ones that it's easy to forget sometimes..I know someone who had to carry twins to term when she knew that one had not survived and how heart-breaking that is...and I know, truth that there are negatives to look at in the NHS but that this is even possible/for such a young organ to be transplanted into an adult, it's truly incredible is it not ...a few moments in a life but a possible long lifetime for another and the greatest gift to that person's family...RIP Teddy, you have incredible parents and you gave so much in your brief life...

[billy123]

A really sad story but with something good that will hopefully help his parents overcome the grief.
I cant imagine many people would ever object to an opt out donor system its puzzling to me why this isn't already in place in England.

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by bobnot

A really sad story but with something good that will hopefully help his parents overcome the grief.
I cant imagine many people would ever object to an opt out donor system its puzzling to me why this isn't already in place in England.

I agree opting out why?

your dead and do not now exist, at least help someone who does

[bitontheslide]

Opt out is never going to be a trusted full proof system. Its too easy for the opt out to go "missing" hence why its set the way it is.

Am I the only one that finds this baby donor story uncomfortable reading? I am not sure why the family of the donor would want or seek publicity for this. Doesn't seem entirely normal to me.

[the truth]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

Opt out is never going to be a trusted full proof system. Its too easy for the opt out to go "missing" hence why its set the way it is.

Am I the only one that finds this baby donor story uncomfortable reading? I am not sure why the family of the donor would want or seek publicity for this. Doesn't seem entirely normal to me.

Ive never heard a story like it, but we may hear of similar stories in the future.

[empire]

little kid needs a funeral, fit for a king.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

Opt out is never going to be a trusted full proof system. Its too easy for the opt out to go "missing" hence why its set the way it is.

Am I the only one that finds this baby donor story uncomfortable reading? I am not sure why the family of the donor would want or seek publicity for this. Doesn't seem entirely normal to me.

...Teddy was Britain's youngest ever organ donor which would I think be part of why they did it...also, an incredibly heart-breaking time for a parent so very inspiring to share their story to encourage other parents in similar positions to consider organ donation...but no, it didn't make me feel uncomfortable, a very brave couple I think to do it...