Welsh mother saves 16-year-old daughter’s life by giving her a kidney

August 3, 2016

Ana Moaksom, 16, was told at the age of four she would need a transplant
Infections had left her kidneys scarred and her health began to decline
Mother Amanda, 48, donated an organ so she could sit her GCSE exams
Both recovered despite complications and Ana is now awaiting her results

Madlen Davies for MailOnline

Published:
09:39 EST, 3 August 2016

|
Updated:
11:57 EST, 3 August 2016

View
comments

A brave mother gave her teenage daughter the perfect boost to tackle her GCSEs – by giving her kidney.

Amanda Moaksom, 48, had the transplant operation so that her daughter Ana, 16, could concentrate on her exam revision and not battling for her health.

The family knew Ana would need a transplant from the age of just four years old after the organs were left scarred by infections.

And Mrs Moaksom volunteered her own kidney for transplant instead of waiting for a donor as Ana was struggling with her exams because of her health.

The operation went ahead on Mother’s day, and despite both suffering complications afterwards, they are now recovered and well.

The greatest gift: Amanda Moaksom, 48, donated a kidney to her daughter Ana, 16, so the teenager could revise for her GCSEs instead of battling ill health

Mrs Moaksom said: ‘As a mum you will do anything for your children.

‘The idea was to plan the operation to give Ana the best chance of recovery before facing her GCSEs in April of this year.

‘We could have waited for a donor to come available from the national register but all the evidence shows that a family living donor offers the best results longer term.’

Girl who suffered third degree burns after covering HALF of…

‘Exam stress made me go bald’: 20-year-old’s horror as…

Girl, 6, who is losing her sight creates a ‘visual bucket…

‘Being pregnant left me paralysed’: Mother lost the ability…

Mrs Moaksom explained her daughter had been told in childhood she would probably need a transplant around the age of 13.

She said: ‘From the age of four Ana suffered urinary tract infections that scarring in both kidneys, resulting in declining kidney function.’

‘I think a healthy eating regime bought us a few years, but just before Christmas Ana’s health deteriorated and we were faced with the surgeon’s recommendation to push ahead with a kidney transplant.’

Both mother and daughter suffered complications after the operation – but have now recovered

After the operation both Mrs Moaksom and Ana, of St Hilary, Vale of Glamorgan, suffered complications.

Mother-of-two Mrs Moaksom said: ‘I was seriously ill through an infection and lost more than a stone and a half in weight while Ana’s post-op recovery was blighted by issues with the rejection drugs.

‘She had to go back in hospital and we worried the kidney was being rejected.

‘Luckily it all worked out in the end.’

Now beautician Mrs Moaksom is fundraising for Kidney Wales to thank them for their ‘amazing’ work and research.

Her family are aiming to raise £50,000 through a charity ball next month.

Ana, who has now left school, said: ‘I can’t thank mum enough.

‘She is amazing. When I saw my mum so poorly I felt it was all my fault.

‘It seems odd to think that I now have three kidneys and my mum has one.

‘She has given me the chance to lead a normal life; my energy levels have risen and I am looking forward to enjoying my summer off with the family.’

She is now eagerly awaiting the results of her exams, which will be released in August.

But she has been accepted on to a two-year Business Studies course, which will start in the autumn.

Ana’s father Neil said: ‘I am so immensely proud of all the girls in my life; Amanda and Ana have been so brave.

‘There is such a feeling of helplessness but hopefully we have come through it together as a family.’