The parents of a three-year-old girl saved by her father’s kidney donation are urging more people to become organ donors.
Gloria Sirbu, born in 2021 with polycystic kidney disease, faced severe challenges, including failing to pass urine in her first three days.
Doctors warned her parents to “prepare for the worst-case scenario”, but emergency treatment at St Thomas’ Hospital and a kidney transplant changed her fate.
Her mother, Laura Seraficeanu, received the devastating diagnosis during a scan while visiting Romania, where Gloria was born prematurely at 36 weeks.
After Gloria’s discharge from a Romanian hospital, the family rushed to Evelina London Children’s Hospital, where she received lifesaving care.
Gloria’s initial condition was critical, requiring intubation and intensive care. Her recovery began after weeks in the hospital’s PICU and Beach Ward.
She later developed necrotizing enterocolitis, needing bowel surgery and home peritoneal dialysis for 18 months as her kidney function declined.
In May 2023, two days before her second birthday, Gloria’s father, Sorin Sirbu, donated a kidney, giving her a new chance at life.
Laura described the transplant, carried out at Guy’s Hospital, as “the best present Gloria could have received,” crediting Evelina London staff for their unwavering care.
Gloria now thrives as a “happy and healthy little girl” but remains under ongoing medical monitoring at Evelina London.
Advanced nurse practitioner Gráinne Walsh praised Gloria’s progress and highlighted the support offered by the British Transplant Games community.
Register your decision to become an organ donor at: www.organdonation.nhs.uk.