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41 days after young baby Theo Ormondi was born, he was struck by a sudden illness. His parents rushed him to the hospital, but it was already too late. The doctors had to tell the Ormondi parents that there was no way Theo’s life could be saved.
In that moment, the Ormondi parents could have the decision to let their son go – or grant their permission to have his organs donated to save the lives of others.
When the Ormondis said yes, they then allowed their dying son Theo to earn the title of being the UK’s youngest lung donor and to save not just one, but two people’s lives.
Theo donated both of his lungs to a young, five-month-old girl, called Imogen Bolton. Not long after Imogen’s birth, she developed a respiratory infection. Despite her doctors’ best efforts, they couldn’t bring her body to support independent breathing anymore. She would have to receive a lung transplant to stay alive.
The timing, though tragic, aligned perfectly. The doctors were able to immediately tell the Bolton family that their daughter’s life would be saved – if they transplanted Theo’s lungs into her body.
As for the Ormondis, they knew they would donate Theo’s organs, “We believe he would have wanted to help others if he had been able to grow up and make the decision himself. We are proud of what Theo could do not just for Imogen, but also for a young adult who now runs their body with his two tiny kidneys.”
Not long after Theo’s lungs were donated, doctors were able to save the life of a young boy who needed a kidney transplant.
Although the Ormondi parents wish to remain anonymous, the Boltons have reached out to offer their condolences, “Our thoughts are with Theo's parents and his wider family. They are rightly very proud of the wonderful gift their baby son has been able to give to others.
“It is incredibly generous to then share their thoughts and the comfort they feel knowing Imogen and her family and other recipients now have hope and life. Their compassion when faced with the terrible tragedy of losing their son, should stand as an example to us all.”
Our thoughts go out to the Ormondi parents during this time.
