Alex Crichton

Alex was born with a congenital heart defect. His mum Julie shares his transplant journey.

Alex Crichton was born with a congenital heart defect, which required open heart surgery to insert a donor valve when he was two weeks old, and then again aged 18 months after the first heart valve became less effective and needed replaced.

Alex, from Aberdeenshire, may require future surgeries as he continues to grow, but since the procedure in 2010, he’s required no further cardiac treatment. Alex’s mum Julie Crichton said:

“We have Alex, as well as he can be, always with a smile on his face. He’s happy, challenging, determined and cheeky, he’s just my Alex.

“The people who have made the selfless decision to donate have quite simply allowed Alex to live.

“I remember the surgeon being quite matter of fact with me initially, saying that Alex needed a human valve and that would need to come from a child donor. It’s just very humbling that someone has said goodbye to their child, and made a decision that has allowed me to keep my son.

“It’s upsetting to think of the donor, what age they were, how their parents are doing, but we try not to dwell on it and focus on what it has done for Alex. It’s all about making memories, and thanks to that donor, he has a fantastic life. We will always be grateful.

“There are so many people who are in need. I know about another 20 kids like Alex, so the more people willing to donate, and have that discussion, the better.”