A stranger saved my life

Anna duSaire
December 15, 2015

By simply looking at me, it is impossible to know I almost did not make it past 2 years old. I underwent multiple surgeries and took medication every day. I would not be here without the generosity of a stranger.

I was born with Biliary Atresia. I didn’t have a complete biliary system, which consists of a gall bladder, bile ducts and a liver. All three parts work together to clean the blood. In my case, the bile did not drain out of my liver and was poisoning it.

To fix this health issue, I went into surgery at 10-weeks-old. During the surgery, pieces of my intestine were connected to my liver to create bile ducts and allow the bile to drain out of my liver. This was only a temporary fix.

We received a call April 2, 2002. They found a liver donor.

Because of my transplant, I can participate in the Transplant Games. The event is similar to the Olympics, except all athletes are transplant recipients.  Teams come from just about every state in the United States to compete in athletic events, from track and field to ballroom dancing.

The Transplant Games are not about competition. They show transplantation works because every athlete is a transplant success story. The Games allow transplant recipients to meet and connect with other recipients who understand their experiences.

Transplantation allows us to pursue our dreams, which is what matters the most. I try to bring the same optimistic mindset to my daily life.

I could use my weak immune system as an excuse to receive extra attention or as a cause for any time I do not succeed. Instead, I see it as an opportunity to prove I am as capable as my peers. To show that taking medicine every day and having monthly blood draws does not make me weaker than others.

Having a transplant does not mean I am less capable than any other student. I am able to play the sports I want without limitations. I made varsity in gymnastics and track, and lettered in both.

I feel that having a transplant allows me to have a more appreciative outlook on life. Not a day goes by where I do not think of my donor and the gift they gave me.