When Aileen and Gary McCullagh welcomed their little boy into the world four years ago they were devastated when doctors told them he didn’t have long to live.
Christian McCullagh was born five weeks premature and was diagnosed with serious medical conditions including under-developed lungs, a leaking valve in his heart and failing kidneys.
However, against all odds, four-year-old Christian continues to thrive following a kidney donation from his dad, who said he never doubted that he would give his little boy such an incredible gift when the came.
According to The Irish Examiner, Christian said: “We said goodbye twice to him. He wouldn’t take to the ventilator in Letterkenny.
“An ambulance arrived from Holles Street Maternity Hospital in Dublin with equipment and he took to that.
“He was then taken to Holles Street hospital and was put on life support there. After that he spent 14 weeks in Crumlin’s Hospital for children. All in all he has had about 12 operations, probably more.”
During his time in hospital, Christian’s dad Gary met Olympic boxer Kenny Egan
On Monday both father and son underwent operations in separate hospitals.
“I knew I was a blood-match for a long time. However, we had to wait till he came to a certain age to do this and we had to undergo many tests before the date was decided. There was no hesitation on my side whatsoever. I knew I would do this. In March of this year, we were put on the transplant list.
“After the operation was over, my kidney had to be rushed from Beaumont Hospital to the Temple Street hospital.”
“We are delighted that he has responded well. I am very sore but Christian is running around. He will be in hospital for around three weeks,” he said.
The transplant will make a huge difference to the family, as Christian will no longer have to undergo dialysis five nights a week.
Her.ie wish both Christian and Gary a happy recovery.
