BECOMING FEARLESS
Like most toddlers, two-year-old Baylor Andrews, of Oklahoma City was full of life. She liked to sing, dance, and enjoy time with her family while she flaunted her bold personality.
Early in 2017, Baylor’s parents, Bryant and Alyssa, noticed Baylor had a loss of appetite. Like a growing toddler, she had been eating non-stop, and started to only eat a few bites each meal, and eventually did not want to eat at all. Once she refused to drink milk, her parents knew they were dealing with more than just a picky toddler.
Bryant and Alyssa took Baylor to the Emergency Room, where she was diagnosed with acute liver failure. At first, her family rejected the idea of a transplant, worrying that she would not have the opportunity to live a full and fruitful life. Eventually, Baylor’s family realized that a new liver would mean a new life for her, and she would be healed because of the transplant.
Early in 2017, Baylor’s parents, Bryant and Alyssa, noticed Baylor had a loss of appetite. Like a growing toddler, she had been eating non-stop, and started to only eat a few bites each meal, and eventually did not want to eat at all. Once she refused to drink milk, her parents knew they were dealing with more than just a picky toddler.
Bryant and Alyssa took Baylor to the Emergency Room, where she was diagnosed with acute liver failure. At first, her family rejected the idea of a transplant, worrying that she would not have the opportunity to live a full and fruitful life. Eventually, Baylor’s family realized that a new liver would mean a new life for her, and she would be healed because of the transplant.
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Within three days of Baylor’s diagnosis, she was listed for a liver transplant on the National Transplant Waiting List. Her liver failure was so severe that she was listed as top priority for a transplant at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas.
“There was nothing I could do to help. I felt like my hands were tied as I watched Baylor literally fight for her life,” Bryant said. One week after being listed for a transplant, the family’s phone rang in the middle of the night with news that the hospital had a possible liver for Baylor. This opportunity became surreal for the Andrews family knowing a miracle was on its way. After a successful transplant, Baylor began to improve in ways the family didn’t even realize she lacked. She began to boldly speak her mind and was able to show her physical abilities. Baylor became fearless. |
April is National Donate Life Month. Across the United States, more than 114,000 individuals wait for an organ transplant to save their life. Thousands more need tissue and corneal transplants to restore mobility and sight. Without the generous gift of more than 20,000 donors in the United States each year, many would still be waiting for a lifesaving gift.
LifeShare is honoring those who have given the gift of life by celebrating National Donate Life Month. You can give the gift of life by registering to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at LifeShareRegistry.org.
LifeShare is honoring those who have given the gift of life by celebrating National Donate Life Month. You can give the gift of life by registering to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at LifeShareRegistry.org.
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