A teenager whose liver transplant gave her a “second chance at life” is to represent Moray at a prestigious sporting event this week.
Millie Nicoll will take part in the British Transplant Games – held from July 25 to 28 in Newport – competing in table tennis and shot put.
For Millie, aged 17, it has been a long road as she was born with biliary atresia – a rare and deadly liver condition that meant harmful toxins were trapped within her body.
She needed a life-saving operation when she was just six-weeks-old.
That, however, was only a temporary solution and one that would not stop her liver scarring as she grew older.
Millie has since undergone countless operations and hospital visits in what has been a gruelling treatment process.
In 2017, however, she finally received a liver transplant and since then has been able to begin a new chapter of her life.
She has also, for the first time in many years, been able to indulge her love of sport.
Previously her illness meant she was forced to give up some favourite activities, such as horse riding, tennis and netball.
Since the transplant, the Aberlour teen has returned to school at Speyside High School full-time and has finished exams in maths, geography, hospitality and business management.
Now she is looking forward to the games, which are organised on behalf of the charity Transplant Sport UK in an effort to raise awareness of organ donation.
Millie said: “I’ll be taking part in the table tennis and shot put events.
“I’m feeling a bit nervous about going to the games but I’m also really excited as I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time.
“I’ve been training as best I can for both of the events but I’ve been focusing more on table tennis as I feel I’m a lot better at it than shot-putt.”
Millie hopes she will help inspire and encourage young people to make a difference through her participation in the games.
“It’s a really great opportunity for me and all other transplant patients all over the UK,” she said.
“I hope it gives other young people who are waiting for a transplant hope for the future and I also hope that it will raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.”
In 1 week our incredible team of 20 young people, who all had liver transplants @KingsCollegeNHS, & 4 live donors, will be taking part in the Westfield Health British Transplant Games in #Newport. #TeamKings #WHBTG2019 #HaveTheChat https://t.co/9C4u3uirjc pic.twitter.com/qp3P5rpKkz
— King’s Children’s Transplant Team (@KingsChildrens_) July 19, 2019
Millie will be competing on behalf of her anonymous donor. The only thing she knows about him is that he was 19.
In a letter to her donor’s family she wrote: “I now have a life to look forward to, without having to fight and struggle through each day, which is why I am thankful for your strength and bravery to allow the donation to go ahead during your time of loss.
‘I want you to know your son will always be a part of me. I carry him within me and I promise I will look after his precious gift that gave me a second chance of life.”
To donate to Millie’s personal fundraising drive for Transplant Sport UK, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/millie-nicoll.
