Selfless act saves baby's life with liver donation

CLEVELAND — The first time Sandy Flash saw Sonny White's bright smile, he was overwhelmed with joy and fulfillment. Her decision to become a living organ donor was life-changing, but seeing the healthy 16-month-old boy she saved made every moment of her journey worth it. .

As a wife, mother of two, and resident of Western New York, Sandy had a deep personal understanding of the urgent need for organ transplants.

Her husband, Jim, had an agonizing wait for a liver transplant until he finally received word that a suitable transplant was available. Determined to shine a light on the darkness awaiting organ donation, Sandy decided to become an anonymous liver donor.

“I know how scary it is to need a transplant,” Sandy said. “I'm a roll-up-my-sleeves kind of person. I don't like asking people to do things I wouldn't do myself.”

What Sandy didn't realize at the time was that her selfless act would save the life of 3-month-old Sonny White. Diagnosed with biliary atresia, Sonny's liver stopped functioning and he was fighting for his life in the pediatric intensive care unit at the Cleveland Clinic.

“Honestly, I didn't realize how dire the situation was,” Sonny's mother Katie White admitted. “Maybe that was my brain's way of shutting it down.”

The transplant team at the Cleveland Clinic quickly discovered that Sandy was a good fit for Sonny. In May 2023, Sandy traveled from New York to Cleveland, where she underwent minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery to donate part of the left side of her liver. Her donation was a lifesaving gift to Sony.

Now, one month later, Sonny is thriving. “He is keeping up with his growth and development and is full of energy,” said Dr. Deborah Goldman, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Sonny. “He is a playful child who loves playing hide-and-seek and playing ball. His progress has been nothing short of amazing.”

Both families have forged lasting bonds. Sonny's mother, Katie White, added Sandy to the family's text message list. “Sandy now receives all the updates, including school photos and holiday photos,” Katie said.

Sandy continues to return to Cleveland for routine liver tests, and his liver has completely regenerated and is back to normal. On the other hand, Sonny has been taking anti-rejection drugs all his life and has a weakened immune system, so he needs to be careful. However, his progress has been remarkable.

He now takes four fewer medications and is on a schedule of regular doctor visits to monitor his health.

For Sandy, the experience was transformative. “When I finally met Sonny, it was like a wave of relief and overwhelming emotion,” she said. “It made me realize that what I did really changed his life.”

Sandy hopes her story will inspire others to consider living organ donation. “There's a very real need out there. If we can help one person take that step, it's worth it,” she said.

Katie spoke of the immense gratitude her family feels for Sandy's selflessness. “It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt an incredible sense of relief meeting the person who saved my son, but knowing her gift went to the right place. I wanted it,” Katie said.

This amazing act of generosity not only saved Sonny's life, but also created a lifelong bond between the two families. This is a testament to the power of selflessness, hope, and the incredible gift of organ donation. And the two women hope this will inspire others to consider doing the same.