A BRAVE mum from Felpham is hoping a kidney donated by her father will enable her to carry on fundraising for her disabled daughter.
Nicola Roots expects to have a new kidney in the next year.
The transplant will change her life at the same time as she and her husband, Phill, are raising £50,000 to change the life of three-year-old Molly.
Nicola has a kidney disease which means her organs are unable perform their filtering function properly and leak protein.
Her father, Dave Harris, is set to donate one of his kidneys.
Meanwhile, family and friends are raising money to help sent Molly to the USA for surgery to help her walk.
Nicola, 32, of Drake Park, said: “The transplant will take place in the next six to 12 months.
“My consultant is trying to time it to avoid me having to undergo dialysis because of the time that would take up as I have to look after Molly.
“I’m seeing my consultant next month for my next three monthly check-up. I will know more then.”
IgA Nephropathy
Nicola has IgA Nephropathy. It is a progressive condition.
Even after the transplant, it will start to affect her donated kidney.
“I will need a transplant every seven to ten years,” said Nicola.
“It’s unknown what causes the condition. It makes me tired a lot and I can’t eat too much salt but that’s all.”
Her father, Dave Harris, 67, of Central Avenue in North Bersted, said: “I’m the most appropriate match for the kidney and she is my daughter.
“I have been told about what happens in the operation. I’ve no real fears about it.
“There’s obviously a risk but it’s an appropriate one.
“Complete strangers can donate kidneys nowadays but the best likelihood of a transplant being a success is when the kidney comes from as close a family member as possible.
“Another transplant might be needed after two or three years with a kidney from a stranger.
“From a family member, it could be longer.”
Molly’s Wish
Nicola is preparing for the major operation at the same time as she and Phill are ensuring their fundraising campaign, Molly’s Wish, to help their daughter walk is a success.
They are nearing their first £10,000 of the cost of an operation in America which will enable Molly, who has cerebral palsy, to walk more easily.
Nicola and Phill found the Saint Louis children’s hospital in Missouri, USA, which performs the selective dorsal rhizotomy.
This operation will relieve the spasticity in Molly’s legs and, hopefully, stop her stiffness worsening and steer her away from needing walking aids or a wheelchair.
She will not be confirmed as a candidate for the operation until at least later this year.
“If we can get her started, we feel it’s going to be beneficial for her for the rest of her life.
“If not, it will get tougher and tougher for her,” said Nicola.
She and Phill, 41, were aware of the potential complications because of her kidney disease when she had Molly.
It was a difficult pregnancy and Molly was induced on September 30, 2010, after 32 weeks.
Molly stayed in special care for five weeks and initially seemed well after she was discharged.
But after around 20 months her mum and dad noticed her left foot in particular was curling inward and she was walking more and more on her toes.
It was in late April, 2013, that Molly was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
She had suffered some brain damage which led to her brain not sending the correct messages to her feet to put her heels down while she walks.
Molly now walks completely on her toes and only occasionally puts her right foot down completely.
Her left foot is very stiff and deteriorating.
She can only put it flat with great effort and this would only be for a few seconds by herself.
Donations can be made at www.mollyswish.co.uk.
For more information visit the Molly’s Wish Facebook page.
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