Dad donates kidney to save a little girl after losing his own daughter
Some stories stay with you long after you read them, and Andy Emmott’s story is one of those. When this dad from Tadcaster, England, lost his 8-year-old daughter Sarah to kidney disease, he could have turned inward. Instead, he turned his heartbreak into hope, saving the life of another child in honor of the stranger who once gave Sarah a kidney.
Andy recently donated one of his own kidneys to 11-year-old Amber, a girl who reminded him of Sarah in so many ways. As he told the BBC, “I donated a kidney because a kind stranger donated one to my daughter.” Sarah’s transplant had come just 364 days before she passed away from congenital nephrotic syndrome—a rare condition that damages the kidneys.
Amber’s family shared an appeal for a donor, and Andy felt an instant connection to her story. “I saw the appeal for Amber, and there were so many similarities between Amber and Sarah that I felt I just had to put myself forward,” he explained. It was a decision that has left an indelible impact on Amber’s life—and likely on Andy’s as well.
Related: How a 9-year-old boy’s quick thinking saved his mom’s life
For Andy, this act of kindness wasn’t just about saving Amber. It was about honoring Sarah’s memory and the joy she brought to the world—even during her illness. He recalled the laughter Sarah experienced thanks to Theodora Children’s Charity, which sends performers to entertain kids in hospitals. “They bought so much joy and laughter to her and were a great distraction for her,” Andy shared.
Stories like Andy’s remind us of the power of community and compassion. They also highlight the critical need for organ donors. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), over 100,000 people in the United States are currently waiting for an organ transplant, and more than 85% of those are in need of a kidney. Additionally, data from the National Kidney Foundation shows that approximately 13 people die each day waiting for a kidney transplant. These numbers underscore how life-changing a decision like Andy’s can be.
Andy’s manager, Amanda White, summed it up beautifully after visiting him during his recovery: “What is obvious is how loved [Sarah] is and how happy she was despite everything she was going through…For Andy to change the life of another little girl after such a painful loss is incredible.”
Related: This stranger’s kindness to a child with autism is a lesson in compassion
While Andy recovers and returns to his office job, the impact of his decision continues to grow. As one commenter wrote, “Not all heroes wear capes.” And in this case, we couldn’t agree more.
To learn more about organ donation and how you can help families in need, visit trusted resources like OrganDonor.gov. If you’re inspired by Andy’s story, consider sharing it to spread awareness about the life-saving power of organ donation.
Sources:
Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Modernization Initiative. organdonor.gov. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Modernization Initiative.
NKF Calls for Swift Passage of National Living Donor Protection Act. National Kidney Foundation. NKF Calls for Swift Passage of National Living Donor Protection Act.
National Donate Life Living Donor Registry. Donate Life America. National Donate Life Living Donor Registry.
The U.S. Organ Donation & Transplantation System. UNOS. The U.S. Organ Donation & Transplantation System.
