mom Donates Part of Liver to Save 22-Month-Old Son From End-Stage Failure
A mother’s quick decision to donate a portion of her liver saved her son’s life after he was diagnosed with end-stage liver failure at just 10 months old. Ashlynn Moss, of oklahoma, discovered her son Luka needed a transplant after he began exhibiting symptoms including jaundice and lethargy in February 2023.
Luka’s condition rapidly deteriorated, and doctors resolute his liver was failing due to a rare genetic condition. Facing a critical shortage of donor organs, Moss underwent testing and discovered she was a match, ultimately choosing to donate 30% of her own liver to her son. The accomplished transplant, performed at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital in March 2023, offered Luka a second chance at life and highlights the life-saving potential of living organ donation.Moss initially noticed Luka was unwell when he began to develop jaundice and seemed unusually tired. After multiple doctor visits, a diagnosis of Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency was made, a genetic disorder that can cause liver and lung disease. “His liver was shutting down,” Moss explained in a TikTok video documenting their journey, which has since gained widespread attention. “He was in end-stage liver failure.”
With time running out, the family was placed on the transplant list. However, the wait for a suitable donor can be lengthy and uncertain. recognizing the urgency of the situation, Moss volunteered to be tested as a potential living donor.”I didn’t even hesitate,” she told Newsweek. ”I knew I had to try.”
The surgery was a success, and Luka has made remarkable progress since the transplant. Unless he experiences complications, he is not expected to need further surgeries. He currently takes daily anti-rejection medication and undergoes monthly liver function tests.
“My life hasn’t been the same as this journey started. My viewpoint has changed, and not a single day of being alive has been taken for granted,” Moss said. “Watching him learning new things, laughing, and playing is bliss. God and his team of doctors saved his life; I was just a piece of the puzzle.”
Moss shares updates on Luka’s progress on TikTok (@ashlynnmoss91214), hoping to raise awareness about organ donation and inspire others facing similar challenges.
