A CELEBRATION is taking place in Darlington next month to mark the ten-year anniversary of a transplant operation that saved a youngster’s life.

Ten-year-old Tegan Ross was born with biliary atresia, a rare condition causing inflammation that can fatally damage the liver’s bile ducts.

Thankfully for Tegan and her family, a suitable liver donor was found and the youngster has since gone on to live a full life which has seen her participate in the Transplant Games and campaign about the importance of organ donation.

This February will mark the tenth year since Tegan’s successful transplant operation and a party is being held at the Darlington and Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club on February 13 to celebrate the occasion.

More than 100 friends and family will pack out the venue and her mother Michelle Davidson said the party was a way to thank all the people who have supported Tegan over the last decade.

She said: “It is to say thank you and to celebrate the life Tegan was given by a donor.

“There will be about 130 people there, which was more than we expected but we are so grateful that she has got such a lot of people that care for her.”

Tegan, who attends Reid Street Primary School in Darlington, is a keen campaigner of the importance of organ donations and Ms Davidson says there is always the chance the youngster may need another transplant in the future.

“Everything has gone really well, but there is a chance that she will need to do it again; it is at the back of our minds all the time,” she said.

“But she has been doing fantastically well so we are taking that as a good sign.”

Tegan still needs regular health checks and this year will undergo extensive tests – described by Ms Davidson as ‘an MOT’ – to ensure that all is still well with the transplanted liver.

The family is grateful to the teams at Darlington Hospital and The Leeds Children’s Hospital who have monitored Tegan over the years and the youngster herself has pledged that any presents bought to the party for her will be donated to the children’s ward at Darlington.

Money will also be raised at the party for The Leeds Children Transplant Team and Ms Davidson is appealing for anybody who can donate quality raffle prizes to contact her on 07557-560511 or email michelle@bcspreservation.co.uk