Alecia McFadden

Alecia McFadden, a strong mother and determined transplant recipient, was told by doctors for most of her life that her health conditions would prevent her from safely having children. Now, Alecia will be spending this year’s Mother’s Day with her three healthy children, Na’ilah, Nariyah, and Zion.

Alecia was born with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease that only occurs in infants. Most people with biliary atresia require a liver transplant at some point in their lives, and Alecia received her first transplant at 2 weeks old, and her second at the age of 2. Following her transplants, she was required to take medications including one that can increase the risk of miscarriage and serious birth defects. After years of being informed of these side effects, Alecia was in disbelief when she found out she was pregnant at 27.

While women with organ transplants are often mistakenly told they cannot become pregnant, healthy transplant organs and perseverance like Alecia’s can create miracles. She shares that being pregnant as a transplant recipient is not easy, and it involves a lot of time with new doctors, medication adjustments, and constant monitoring. “It’s a beautiful thing to overcome the statistics of having a transplant and having kids. Yes, it’s difficult, but I would say go for it. After you’ve had that baby, everything is worth it,” says Alecia. Alecia’s transplant journey is one of many that inspires and encourages other transplant recipients to overcome the statistics and to never give up on their journey towards a healthy life.

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