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It
is not everyday that you meet somebody who will
change your life forever.
In fact, many are not so fortunate to even meet
friends that will change and mold them into a
better person. I, however, have been one of the
lucky ones. I can proudly say I have been
changed for the better because of someone I
know. I couldn’t help but be changed---once you
know my friend Mallory, you, too, will find
yourself transformed. Mallory is the kind of
person that has an attitude and a presence that
lights up a room. I knew that I could count on
Mallory my freshman and sophomore years to cheer
me up when I was having a bad day by cracking a
joke or drawing a perfect sketch of “Elvis the
Pelvis” while belting out made-up songs about me
to boost my spirits. I always thought it was the
cheerleader in her that made her so peppy and
upbeat, but as time has gone on and I’ve gotten
to know her better I realize—that is just how
God made her. She is truly the nicest person you
will ever meet-caring, compassionate,
down-to-earth, intelligent, witty, brave and
forgiving are just a few of the hundreds of
adjectives that could be used to describe
Mallory. It is these particular traits that she
possesses that have helped people far more than
she knows.
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Mallory is too humble to realize how many people
truly love her and how many people she makes
happy each and every day simply by being
herself. I’ve told her before and I’ll say it
again now—she is one the reasons I am here
today. Without my friend Mallory I feel sure
that I would have lost hope long ago in my
battle with a chronic illness. I’ve always
wanted to repay my dear friend, Mal, but I just
never knew how. But now, I have a chance, WE
have a chance, to help Mallory and the Smith
family.
Prior to Mallory’s liver transplant
on July 17, 2006, she was working part-time at a
local Chick-Fil-A, training with her competition
and football cheerleading squads, and preparing
for school to start back at Kennesaw Mountain in
August. As a rising senior at Kennesaw Mountain
in Kennesaw, GA, Mallory had already begun
planning for the exciting year ahead of her.
Taking senior portraits, preparing for her
honors courses, and working to save money to go
to school at the University of Alabama in the
fall of 2007 were all on her “to-do list” prior
to being admitted to Children’s Healthcare of
Atlanta at Egleston.
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Mallory has sustained a spotless
academic, as well as conduct, record
throughout all three years of high
school---never having made a “B” in her
life Mallory is a member of the Gold
Honor Roll at KMHS, in addition to the
National Honor Society. It seems that no
matter what Mallory does, she excels. In
addition to being a member of the
Varsity Football and Competition
Cheerleading Squad for all four years of
high school, she was also a member of
the Georgia All-Stars for six years.
Along with cheering, Mallory has a
passion for art and was placed in the
National Art Honor Society her freshman
year. But even with all these activities
and a rigorous academic schedule Mallory
still finds time to give back to her
community—volunteering to spend a
semester with the RISE Program at KMHS,
assisting in elementary schools close to
home and teaching children every summer
at Kennesaw’s Little Cheer Camp. |
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It was on July 12, 2006, that Mallory’s plans
for the end of the summer and the beginning of
the school year were drastically altered.
On the 12th Mallory was admitted to Kennestone
Hospital for a multitude of symptoms and
ailments—abdominal pain, nausea, and abnormal
lab work. Here they discovered Mallory was
suffering from a severe illness known as
Wilson’s disease. Wilson’s often times presents
with no symptoms until it is too late to treat
and a liver transplant is needed. Essentially, a
person with Wilson’s disease retains too much
copper within their body. The liver does not
release copper into bile as it should (Bile is
extremely important because it is a special
liquid produced by the liver that helps with
digestion). As the intestines absorb copper from
food, the copper builds up in the liver and
severely injures the liver tissue. Eventually,
this damage causes the liver to release the
copper directly in the blood stream which then
carries the copper throughout the entire
body—this is why often times individuals with
Wilson’s disease can have damage not only to the
liver, but also to the kidney’s, brain, and
eyes.
After the initial diagnosis, Mallory and her
family were transported to Children’s Healthcare
of Atlanta at Egleston. It was here they were
greeted by a team of doctors who explained that
Mallory was in urgent need of a new liver.
Mallory’s liver was so badly damaged that a
liver transplant was the doctor’s only option.
On July 13, Mallory was placed on the top of the
UNOS transplant list. By the 15th, she was at
the number one spot on the transplant waiting
list of four southeastern states. As time
progressed Mallory became more ill. Because of
her status on the organ transplant lists she was
only allowed minimal nausea and pain
medications, therefore she was forced to simply
wait it out. At 12:05 AM on July 17, 2006, Mike
and Lisa Smith were informed that their
daughter, Mallory, would be receiving a donated
liver within the next seven hours. Preparation
for the major surgery began and everyone waited
anxiously for the transplant to be successfully
completed. At 4:00 PM on the 17th, Mallory was
wheeled back into the ICU at Egleston—a whole
two hours before the approximated finish.
Doctor’s were obviously amazed at the way in
which Mallory’s young body held up under the
transplant and even more surprised when they
were able to take her off the ventilator only
the morning after surgery.
Mallory Smith can now honestly say she is a
survivor. 144 Hours, 1 liver, and 22 units of
blood later, Mallory can claim the title of
survivor—but not only can she claim that, she
can once again reclaim her active life. But it
is here in the reclaiming of Mallory’s young
life that she needs even more help. The cost of
an organ transplant is extremely high, not only
because of the actual medical procedure itself,
but the extended care and medication that the
new organ needs. Not only does Mallory wish to
graduate on time with her class this year, but
upon graduation she dreams of attending the
University of Alabama to perhaps pursue a career
in the medical field. To be able to do this
Mallory and her family need assistance in
obtaining and paying for the extensive medical
care that Mallory and her new liver will
require. As a healthy and vibrant young woman
she was the last one anyone would have thought
to have needed a liver transplant. Mallory’s
mother Lisa says “You’ll never think this will
happen to you or your family. All I can say is
become an organ donor—it is because of somebody
else’s decision to become one that my baby is
alive today.” I believe it is now that we as a
community must come together to help our friend
Mallory and her family in their time of need. I
hope after reading this background on Mallory
you will consider donating to Mallory’s medical
fund to assist in paying for the treatment she
needs. Mallory has such an incredible future
ahead of her—one filled with college, career,
marriage, and children. It is here we can all
help her reach her goals in life. Thank you for
your time, consideration, and compassion.
---Lauren Hughes
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