Living Donor Meets Little Boy She Helped Save

When one-year-old Sonny needed a life-saving liver transplant, Sandy Flash, a woman from west New York, stepped forward as a living donor for the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

Diagnosed shortly after birth with biliary atresia, which impairs kidney function, Sonny’s only hope was a transplant. Flash, inspired by her husband’s own liver transplant in 2022, made the decision to donate part of her liver, ultimately being matched with Sonny in May 2023.

“Sandy gave a piece of herself to save my baby’s life. Organ donation is truly an unconditional gift,” said Sonny’s mother, Katie White.

Following the surgery, Flash recovered quickly and was thrilled to meet Sonny.

“Next to having my own children, this is the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done,” she said.

Sonny has caught up in growth and development, the clinic said. Credit: Cleveland Clinic via Storyful

Video transcript

Did you do that?

I, ok. What does this mean?

You are the happiest.

Where is she living?

Do you see his liver?

That's right.

This little baby gets a transplant and you're like, you still call to do this.

I want to tell someone two because you know, you're a mom and so when you have a kid, all you wanna do is protect them, you've been the same.

Oh, yeah.

Well, I was in a position where I, I physically couldn't do it, you know, and that's why I'm so grateful.

But, you know, I, to the health.

Hm.

Yes.

Hey, how are you?

Oh, my gosh.

What is his name?

Sonny?

I just feel called to do this and I asked other people to do this and I want to help someone else.

That's why I'm so grateful that, you know, I, you better tell, I just so appreciate it.

I was in the way.

But, um, just wanted to see and I'm happy, we're happy to send you guys.

I was waiting for you but she went, yeah.

Ok.

Almost every day.

Yeah, that's good.

That was a long time for them to be here.

You're allowed to be.

Oh my gosh.

That picture.

You having fun gonna open it up.

What do you think?

What do you say?

Can you look?

She's a much croche than I am.

I got.

Yeah.

Can you give him a hug?

That's it.

That's right.

But he came in and he said I just wanted to tell you, you know, like no one from the baby with all that.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

You're amazing.

Do you like the necklace?

You like my necklace?

Uh.

Oh, I'm so glad you're seeing me.

I still need to, you doing right now.

They would come in and the nurses would come in and pet him.

It looks very different.

He's got my complexion now.

It's not apples and pretty good with everything.

Ok.

Need to send.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Even more because you should do that playing in the line.

This Warren I might need.

So, that's great.

Yeah.

You