Three-year-old Etta Cartmill is preparing for a second life-changing transplant following a previous liver transplant. Etta and her older brother Olly both have a rare genetic condition, TTC21B, which has caused kidney failure for both children. Olly underwent kidney surgery in September 2023, receiving a donation from his grandmother, Michelle.
Etta's parents, Dionne and Neil Cartmill, were aware their daughter would require a kidney transplant at an older age. Etta has regularly traveled from Bessbrook, County Armagh, to Belfast for dialysis, alongside trips to Birmingham for specialized medical care. The family learned of Etta's need for a liver transplant a year prior to the surgery.
Etta received a liver transplant in September after an 11-hour surgery. Following the procedure, Etta required ventilation, and her abdomen could not be fully closed initially due to swelling. Dionne Cartmill stated that Etta has since been "thriving," exhibiting an improved personality and experiencing less pain and agitation compared to her pre-transplant state.
Dionne Cartmill has been identified as a compatible donor for Etta's upcoming kidney transplant. The family is currently awaiting a scheduled date for the surgery.