Imogen appeared healthy at birth but developed a respiratory infection when she was a few weeks old. She was admitted to a hospital near her home in Brighton several times with breathing problems. Finally she was sent to a London hospital where they did extensive testing and discovered she had Alveolar Capillary Dysplasia (ACD), an extremely rare condition with only a few known cases worldwide.
Imogen was put on the transplant waiting list, and her family steeled themselves for the usual long waiting time. To their delight, just a week later, she was found a match and the operation was done.
Imogen's mother Hayley said: “It all happened so suddenly. After the complete emotional rollercoaster we had all been through, it was a huge relief to see things heading in the right direction. The difference was amazing, and a few weeks after the transplant Imogen was back to her usual chirpy self with a smile for everyone.”
After several months in hospital, Imogen was discharged and is back home.
