After Gavin Maxwell received a lifesaving liver transplant at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in 2014, he became a testament to the power of organ and tissue donation. Then a 10-year-old, he quickly joined his friends on the playground on his first day back at school. He returned to the soccer field and basketball court. He began learning how to referee youth football games.
Liver recipient Gavin Maxwell.
Now, 12-year-old Gavin is taking his story to the 2017 Transplant Patient Summit in Washington D.C. this fall as a representative of Wyoming. Hosted by the American Society of Transplantation, the conference helps participants become transplant ambassadors and empower them to advocate for the field of transplantation.
“I'd like to learn about how many kids have been transplanted and how many kids are still waiting,” Gavin said. “Every child should have a chance to live a long time and organ donation is one way all of us can help them.”
Gavin received a lifesaving liver transplant at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in 2014. Since then, he has inspired others through his activity in school, soccer, basketball, and refereeing football.
At the Summit, Gavin will be one of 100 transplant recipients or living donors representing each state. “I’m looking forward to meeting others who have had transplants and being able to talk to government people about how important organ donation is,” Gavin said.