Tilly Harley, an 11 year old Campbelltown girl, is a living, breathing example of the importance of organ donation.
Six years after a life-saving liver transplant, Tilly is making every post a winner. She’s been excelling in sport in recent years, especially swimming and cross country running.
The icing on the cake has been getting elected captain of her school, St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School, Ruse.
Tilly was born with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease that caused her bile ducts to be blocked, resulting in liver failure.
At just four weeks old, Tilly underwent surgery to drain bile from her liver, but by the time she was three, her health deteriorated rapidly.
Jaundice and persistent internal itching covered her body in painful scabs which medicine couldn’t ease or fix.
It was then that Tilly was placed on the organ transplant waiting list. After a 12 month wait, Tilly finally received a life-saving liver transplant at the age of five.
Remarkably, she was in ICU for just two days before being transferred to a general ward.
Her mother Kimberley says the family were in awe at how resilient little Tilly was.
“She never gives up, she was such a trooper, by the end of 2019 she was back in school,’’ says Mrs Harley.
Five years after her transplant, Tilly is thriving – not only has she grown into a healthy young girl, but she’s also excelling in school sports, making it to the zone level for both swimming and cross country.
‘Seeing her with this renewed energy is brilliant,’’ Mrs Harley said.
“Before her transplant, she had no energy, could barely kick a ball, and always wanted to sleep. We’ve seen such a remarkable change.’’
Tilly has always looked up to her older siblings, two of whom served as school captains. Inspired by their leadership, she decided to run for the same role.
“I want to make a difference, and be an inspiration for other kids,’’ says Tilly.
There are currently 1,800 Australians on the waiting list for an organ transplant, with a further 14,000 undergoing dialysis who could benefit from a kidney transplant.
One organ donor can save the lives of up to seven people and can help many more through eye and tissue donation. Anybody over the age of 16 can register as an organ and tissue donor regardless of their medical history, lifestyle, religion, or age.
Tilly had nothing but gratitude for her donor.
“All I can say is a massive thank you, my liver has let me swim, run and be a kid again, without them I wouldn’t be here.’’
To register or check your Australian Organ Donation Registry head to: How to register as an Australian organ donor – Australian Organ Donor Register – Services Australia or Join the register | DonateLife
What a brilliant story