Youngster who survived kidney failure and cancer gearing up for sporting adventure
A little girl who was once given hours to live is now preparing to take centre stage at a major sporting event to thank her aunty for saving her life.
Nine-year-old Bay McNeil, from Barking, East London, was only two when what appeared to be a lingering cold, which caused her to suffer with low energy and a lack of appetite, turned into every parent's worst nightmare.
After weeks of visits to her GP and A&E, a doctor decided to carry out one final blood test. It revealed Bay's potassium levels were dangerously high - reading around 10mmol/L when an average reading should be around 3.5 to 5mmol/L - and she was rushed by blue-light ambulance to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where her mum, Jen, was told her daughter was unlikely to survive the night.
Doctors discovered Bay was in complete kidney failure and urgently needed a transplant.
Because Jen had already donated one of her kidneys to save her mother in 2014, she was unable to donate to Bay. Instead, her identical twin sister Julie stepped forward and, after extensive testing, she proved to be a perfect match.
Following three years of dialysis at home, which was carried out every night by Jen after specialist training, Bay received her life-saving transplant in 2021.
Jen said: “When they told me Bay wasn't expected to survive the night, my whole world stopped. The day before we'd been eating ice cream together without a care in the world, and suddenly I was being told my little girl might not make it.
“But even in those darkest moments, I knew we'd experienced the power of organ donation before. I'd seen what my kidney had done for my mum and I knew what a transplant could mean.”
Although the transplant was successful during her stay on Eagle Ward, also known as the Kidney Care UK Centre for Children, Bay's journey was far from over. Serious complications kept her in hospital for months before she recovered.
Then, in 2024, she was diagnosed with post-transplant lymphoma – a rare blood cancer - linked to the immunosuppressant medication needed to protect her donated kidney.
After nine rounds of immunotherapy, 18 cycles of chemotherapy and countless weeks in hospital, Bay rang the end-of-treatment bell last year and is now in remission.
Jen added: “The nurses at Great Ormond Street became like family. We used to call them Bay's second mums because they were there for absolutely everything. Not just the medical care, but the emotional support too.
“They taught me how to do dialysis at home, were always at the end of the phone if I was worried and gave us the confidence to give Bay as normal a childhood as possible.
“Kidney Care UK has also been there throughout our journey, providing information, advice and emotional support whenever we've needed it.”
Today, Bay is back doing what she loves most; singing, gymnastics and preparing to compete once again at the Westfield Health British Transplant Games in Sheffield from 6 to 9 August.
The annual event brings together more than 2,800 transplant recipients, living donors, donor families and supporters from across the UK to celebrate life after transplantation while encouraging more people to have the conversation about organ donation.
For Bay, who has attended the Games throughout her recovery – even during chemotherapy – it has become the highlight of the family's year.
Jen said: “The Games are the most uplifting place you could ever imagine. Every child is celebrated for who they are and what they've overcome.
“You don't have to explain your story because everybody just understands. We've found our extended family there.
“Watching Bay run, jump and laugh with other transplant children reminds me just how far she's come. That's only possible because somebody was willing to donate.”
Now healthy enough to enjoy gymnastics, drama classes and Brownie camp, Bay cannot wait to represent Great Ormond Street Hospital team once again in running, long jump, ball throw and the obstacle race at the event.
The team is also being part-funded by Kidney Care UK, the UK’s leading kidney patient support charity, to help Bay and the rest of her teammates to attend the Games.
Jen, who is also competing in the Games’ donor run alongside her sister and daughter, hopes sharing their story will encourage more families to talk openly about organ donation.
She said: “I've seen organ donation from every angle. I donated to my mum and my twin donated to my daughter. I know first-hand how one decision can completely transform a family's future.
“If I could donate again, I would. It saves lives and gives loved ones more precious time together.
“Having the conversation with your loved ones is one of the most important conversations you'll ever have.”
For more information about the Westfield Health British Transplant Games, visit www.transplantactive.co.uk
For more information about organ donation or to register your decision, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk
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