An organ donor saved my child's life.. I urge everyone to carry a card; MUM'S PLEA TO GIVE SOMEONE A FUTURE.

Byline: EOIN REYNOLDS

THIS healthy baby is alive today because of an organ transplant that saved her life.

Doting mum Suzie Murphy has called on people to carry a donor card so that they too can give the gift of life.

Elizabeth was born in April 2006 with a rare liver disease which was diagnosed when she was just eight weeks old.

The tiny tot's life was in the balance before the successful transplant that has transformed her life.

By then Elizabeth had undergone an operation in which her bowel was connected to her liver but unfortunately this wasn't successful.

Elizabeth's health deteriorated rapidly and within six weeks her parents were assessed for organ transplantation.

The tot, from Ballyboughal, Co Dublin, was named as a priority on the waiting list when she was just four months old and was called only a couple of weeks later for a liver transplant at Kings Hospital, London.

After "challenging" surgery and chronic pneumonia Elizabeth battled on and by the time she was six months she was settling in to her new life at home.

PLIGHT

Suzie spoke out during Organ Donor Awareness Week to highlight the plight of people with organ failure and the wonderful legacy of organ donation.

Suzie said: "Life was not possible for Elizabeth without organ donation and we will always be thankful to the organ donor who saved her life.

"She now leads a normal life and has her 10-month-old younger brother Thomas to boss around." Elizabeth who will celebrate her third birthday on April 13 has recently started Montessori School and enjoys life to the full.

Organ Donor Awareness Week is organised by the Irish Kidney Association and supported by the Irish Donor Network and runs until Saturday.

There are currently more than 600 people in Ireland awaiting life-saving transplant operations.

Thanks to the generosity of 81 deceased donors and their families consent for donation, 210 organs were transplanted in Ireland in last year.

For organ donor cards freetext the word DONOR to 50050 or contact the Irish Kidney Association at local 1890-543639.

For more information visit www.ika.ie.

CAPTION(S):

JOY Elizabeth with her brother Thomas FORTUNATE Elizabeth Murphy happy and healthy after an organ transplant operation ILL Elizabeth in hospital