Liver Donor lives on in healthy little boy

30 June 2009A young man's sudden death seven years ago brought new life to a Christchurch baby in desperate need of a liver transplant.

Yesterday, that baby's parents, Mark and Carman Whitaker, along with their now seven-year-old son Angus, celebrated organ donors at a special church service in Christchurch.

The Whitaker family, along with many organ recipients, gathered in Christ Church Cathedral.

Mark Whitaker said the kindness of Angus's organs donor meant his son was able to live a relatively normal life.

"He's not able to play rugby in case he knocks the liver but aside from that he's a normal seven-year-old boy and into everything."

Angus will take two anti-rejection drugs a day for the rest of his life.

Whitaker said Angus was diagnosed with a rare liver complaint at about six weeks old and spent nine months in Auckland waiting for a transplant.

Whitaker and his wife were unsuccessfully tested to be donors.

"It's the hardest thing, wanting to do anything for your child but knowing you can't."

The young man whose family agreed to donate his organs turned out to be Angus's saviour.

"We were told there might be a donor at about 7.30pm, then at 11pm Angus was in for nine hours of surgery," Whitaker said.

"I would say to all donor families that the person who passed away gave the gift of life and lives on through recipients like Angus."

By Kim Thomas - The Press 25/05/2009