Boy, eight, to compete in third transplant games

A BOY from Goring, who had a liver transplant at 13 months old, is taking part in his third British Transplant Games next month.

Leighton Elliott, eight, will compete in six events, including an obstacle race, sport cup staking and a 2.5km donor run with his family.

He is raising money for King’s College Hospital in London, where he has been treated since he was 11 weeks old. So far, he has raised £485.

Leighton, who lives with his parents, Kevin, 48, and Anna, 43, was born with biliary atresia, a disease that causes bile to build up and damages the liver.

At 11 weeks old, he had his first operation at the hospital, called the Kasai procedure, to bypass blocked bile ducts and restore normal bile flow.

This was unsuccessful so he was listed for a liver transplant, which he underwent just after his first
birthday.

Leighton has been on immunosuppressant drugs for the past eight years, which could be the cause of his health issues, which include gut problems and food allergies.

Mrs Elliott, an environmental engineer, said: “Life after the transplant is not without challenges, both physical and mental, but eight years on, he is doing well and long may it continue.

“He has been very brave. He never complains, even when he’s not allowed to eat for long periods and he’s generally very happy.”

Leighton said: “Sometimes it’s difficult when I’m not allowed to eat and I’m very weak. I used to love pizza and cheese. I’ve tried other cheeses but it doesn’t really taste the same.”

He has to split a lot of his time between hospital appointments and Goring Primary School, where he is in year 4.

Mrs Elliott said: “For the first two years after the transplant, he had a lot of complications.

“He spent most of his time in the hospital, so going to school was a big transition.

“By the time he was ready for school, everything started settling down and he started to feel better in himself as I think his whole body had adjusted and got used to the liver in a way, which was great. But then in his first year we had covid. The school is really accommodating, even though he has had quite a few absences because he sometimes does not feel well.

“He has got a very good attitude too. He has a really positive outlook on life, so that helps and he is doing well in school.”

When Leighton has missed school due to illness, his friends have made cards to welcome him back. He said that when he is feeling down he often goes to his bedroom and plays with his Lego sets.

He will be competing in the transplant games, which will take place in Nottingham from August 1 to 4, for the third year running and will be in the nine to 13 age category.

He is most looking forward to the cup stacking, in which he won a bronze medal last year, taking his overall tally of silver and bronze medals to four.

In preparation for this year’s event, he took part in the Goring Hairy Legs Little Legs event in May.

He has also joined his school running club and has been playing badminton at home with his family.

Each year, the family celebrates Leighton’s “liver anniversary”, when they light a candle to remember the person who donated the organ. They are waiting until he is old enough to send a letter to the donor’s family through the hospital. Mrs Elliott said: “Leighton’s so medically complex, you’re effectively a carer on top of everything else that life throws at you, which makes it a big challenge emotionally.

“It’s really draining but it is what it is and you just get on with it as there’s no other way. We try to do our best.”

Mr Elliott, an optical engineer, added: “Whatever happens, happens. Because it has been there almost from birth, we’re kind of used to it but there’s a lot of things that can change suddenly.

“Leighton gets his blood tested regularly and he’s monitored in case anything’s elevated and action needs to be taken.”

The transplant games are organised by Transplant Sport, the largest national charity promoting active recovery for transplant recipients and increasing awareness of the benefits of organ donation. They began more than 40 years ago.

Mrs Elliott said: “King’s College Hospital is like a second home to Leighton and it is incredibly special to join all the other children at the games and raise funds for this amazing hospital.”

To make a donation, visit https://tinyurl.com/yetdyb2v