A WOMAN from York who was told she could never have children has told the incredible story of how she became a mum – thanks to a liver donated by a teenage car crash victim.

Vikki Medlicott had only days to live when she was saved by 17-year-old transplant donor Matt Ferguson.

Now, two years after his death, Vikki has made a complete recovery and has an eight month year-old daughter Jessica, despite doctors telling the 23-year-old that her body could not cope with pregnancy because of a rare blood disease.

Today, Vikki backs The Press’s Lifesavers campaign, urging people to sign up to become an organ donor.

She said: “Organ donation saved my life and without it, I wouldn’t be here today and neither would my daughter.

“It’s an amazing way to be able to give people a second chance at life.

“I fully support The Press’s Lifesavers campaign – nobody likes to think about what will happen after they die, but I’d encourage people to find the courage to just add their name to the donor list or let their family know their wishes.

“Sometimes, something amazing can come out of a tragedy.

“I, and thousands others like me, will be forever grateful for the organ I received.”

Vikki was diagnosed with auto-immune hepatitis aged 14 and warned her body could not cope with pregnancy because of the condition attacking her immune system.

She said: “I didn’t have much of a life as a teenager and was devastated I’d never be a mum.”

When she was 21 her lungs began to fail and her body retained water – growing from a size 12 to a 22 in just 48 hours, causing her lungs to be crushed.

She was told on April 1, 2008, that she needed a new liver within days. Matt was involved in a crash on April 11 – days after discussing organ donation with his parents.

He died on April 14 and Vikki had the vital operation to save her life the following day. Vikki said: “I can’t express how grateful I am to Matt.”

After a chance meeting with Vikki’s parents at an organ donor conference in Birmingham, Matt’s parents have been able to see Jessica.

“I’m so glad his parents have been able to see my beautiful baby girl and know that, without their son, she would not be here and neither would I,” said Vikki.

Matt’s dad, Andrew, 47, said: “It completes the circle of life, a little girl who would never have been born if it wasn’t for Matthew. It doesn’t lessen the pain of losing Matt but it helps to know the difference he made.”

Joanne Turner, York Hospital’s donor transplant coordinator, said Vikki’s story was a great example of the difference transplants can make to peoples lives.

“Unfortunately, about three people die every day having not had the transplant they desperately needed. Luckily for this lady, someone had discussed their wishes with their family,” she said.

“It highlights the wider impact that a transplant can make to families – as well as saving this lady’s life it has enabled her and her husband to have a child.

“If you believe in organ donation then take the opportunity to join the organ donor register now and you could save a life too.”


How you can help

THE Press launched its Lifesavers campaign in December following the death of 22-year-old Miss York finalist Emma Young, who suffered from cystic fibrosis and died while awaiting a double lung transplant.

Thousands of people in our region have joined the Organ Donor Register since we launched our campaign, but many thousands more are needed. Our aim is to recruit 20,000 new donors from our circulation area by the end of this year.

For more information on organ donation or to join the register: Phone 0300 1232323. Visit organdonation.nhs.uk or text SAVE to 84118.