Imagine a three-year-old who’s already faced more medical battles than most adults. Etta Cartmill, a vibrant toddler from Bessbrook, County Armagh, is preparing for her second life-altering transplant—this time, a kidney. But here’s where it gets even more remarkable: her journey isn’t just about survival; it’s about thriving against all odds. Alongside her older brother Olly, Etta was born with an ultra-rare genetic condition known only as TTC21B—so uncommon it doesn’t even have a widely recognized name. This condition led both siblings to suffer kidney failure, thrusting their young lives into a whirlwind of hospitals, surgeries, and hope.
Olly, weighing just 13kg (29lbs), received a kidney transplant in September 2023, thanks to a live donation from his grandmother Michelle. Etta, meanwhile, has already undergone a life-changing liver transplant, a procedure her family only learned she needed a year ago. Her mother, Dionne Cartmill, shared on The Nolan Show how Etta’s transformation has been nothing short of miraculous. Before the transplant, Etta was in constant pain, crying incessantly, and unable to find comfort. Dialysis sessions were agonizing, with Dionne often climbing into her cot to hold her, only to feel her daughter’s agitation as she pulled and pushed away in distress. But since the transplant, Etta’s personality has blossomed. ‘She’s absolutely thriving,’ Dionne said. ‘Her wee personality and everything’s coming through.’
And this is the part most people miss: the resilience of these children and their family. Dionne recently discovered she’s a match to donate a kidney to Etta, and she’s eagerly awaiting the surgery date. ‘I’m absolutely delighted,’ she said. ‘I’m fit and healthy, and I can’t wait to do it.’ This will mark the third transplant for the young siblings, a testament to the power of medical science and familial love.
But here’s the controversial part: While Etta and Olly’s story is inspiring, it also raises questions about the accessibility of rare disease treatments. How many families face similar battles without the same outcomes? And what more can be done to support research into conditions like TTC21B? Dionne’s selfless decision to donate her kidney is a heartwarming act of love, but it also highlights the gaps in healthcare systems that often leave families bearing the brunt of such rare conditions.
Olly, too, has seen a remarkable turnaround since his transplant. ‘He’s turned into the wee boy that he always should have been,’ Dionne shared. Full of energy, humor, and ideas, he’s thriving in ways his family once only dreamed of. Yet, their journey isn’t just a story of medical miracles—it’s a call to action. What do you think? Should more be done to fund research into rare genetic conditions? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s keep this important conversation going.
