A little boy has revealed his biggest wish from Santa this Christmas – a new liver – as his mum hopes to spend the holidays with him again next year.
Teddy Nicholls has been waiting for the organ since last December.
The three-year-old, from Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, can’t wait for Christmas to come around.
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But his mum, Emma, 34, is praying this won’t be their last together.
“We, of course, would love for Teddy to receive the most precious gift for Christmas,” she told Need To Know.
“Although we do understand it doesn’t always work out that way.
“It really would be so special for our boy to get his new liver that he keeps asking for.
“It’s at the top of his wish list from Santa; if only it would happen.
“It would be the best possible Christmas present for our whole family.”
Teddy underwent his first transplant at just 10 weeks old.
When he needed a second one, his options were limited, as he needed to wait for a deceased donor liver from another small baby.
Emma stepped in and donated part of her liver in a bid to save her son’s life.
Now, though, he’s in desperate need of a third, as his current transplant has started to fail and deteriorate.
She said: “We are awaiting an appointment at King’s next week to see how he is doing.
“For now, he’s being his usual cheeky self and is so looking forward to Christmas.
“It definitely feels very magical for our family this year.”
Teddy was born with neonatal haemachromatosis, which causes an iron overload in his liver.
It can cause liver failure, jaundice and issues with other organs if left untreated.
He’s been on the transplant waiting list since December 2024.
Teddy isn’t letting his battle get his spirits down, though.
She said: “He is a character on the highest level, super cheeky and brings happiness to everyone he meets.
“I think it’s his determination and stubbornness [that] gets him through everything he has to deal with.
“He makes sure he does everything like his big brother and will always put a smile on your face with his little dances.”
Teddy is currently under the care of King’s College Hospital in London.
Emma is sharing his story to spread awareness for the importance of organ donation and to hopefully find someone who can give him the gift of life.
She added: “People always ask us: ‘How do you cope?’
“I think we’ve just been running on adrenaline since Teddy was born.
“[He] keeps fighting, so we keep fighting with him.
“He’s our little trooper.
“It’s so important [to donate].
“It’s the best gift that anybody could receive in life.
“There are so many families just like us.
“Without donating, so many families would be massively affected.
“We urge people to support Organ Donation Week and show their support for donation on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
“Unfortunately, we see the transplant waiting list numbers are going up and up and up.
“Some patients may not have the chance.
“We just keep on living and making all the memories we can with our boys.
“It’s all we can do.”
