Brave girl's 18th birthday is dream come true

Erin MacGill was born with a rare chromosome disorder, which has affected her health and development, and meant she was on dialysis for five years between the age of three and eight.

The brave girl was then given what her mum described as “the gift of life” when a donor was found and on June 8, 2008, she had a kidney transplant.

And this Saturday, the teenager will mark her milestone birthday and mum Fiona said it’s time to celebrate Erin’s life.

She told the Post: “The kidney transplant was the most amazing thing that’s happened to us as a family.

“We had been given the most amazing opportunity and we have got to live every single minute. You make the most of your health. I feel that we have done that.

“The memories that we have made and times we have had have been so worthwhile. I think we’ve done the donors proud. We have done it justice, we have taken that kidney and lived our life.

“I thank God every day that we have that opportunity to make those memories as a family.”

Fiona has committed the last year to fundraising for the different charities that have impacted her daughter’s life, naming the cause Erin’s Gift and nearing in on a family target of £6,000.

The first event, held on February 18 of last year, was a ladies day at the Horse and Barge in Clydebank.

A number of other fundraisers were organised, such as Fiona’s participation in the Kiltwalk in April and an 80s night in June.

The mum-of-two unfortunately had to forfeit the Kiltwalk to rush to the aid of her daughter but was overwhelmed when another walker donated gave her his own medal.

The ladies’ day was then replicated last Saturday to cap what has been an emotional and incredible year for the family.

Fiona said: “The reason I started Erin’s Gift was to raise money and awareness for the charities that have been associated with her life. It has been quite an eventful year, life just takes you away.”

Those charities include Kidney Kids Scotland, P.A.L.S, the Catherine McEwan Foundation, the Children’s Renal Unit at the Royal Hospital for Children and Robin House.

The money for the Renal Unit will go towards supporting families at the British Transplant Games, where Erin took home a gold medal for bowling in July – a moment, Fiona said, the family “will never forget”.

The 17-year-old was described by her mum as “always smiling and laughing” and someone who “loves people”, as well as playing with their scarves.

“Anyone that comes to the house, she’s playing with their scarves,” Fiona added. “She’s so clever. She loves dancing. She loves music.

“She’s very much a routine person, she loves her holidays. She loves the water. She loves swimming.”

Erin has “the most amazing special bond” with her big brother Sean, 20, and Fiona admitted they are inseparable.

“He just absolutely adores her,” she said. “They’re constantly together in the house but in that brother-sister style, she won’t leave him alone for two minutes.

“He’s just so protective of her. It’s been one of the loveliest things, watching their relationship blossom.

“I’m so proud of them both because they have both faced challenges and when I see them walking hand in hand on the beach [on holiday] I’m just bursting with pride.

“Her disability has never been a problem for us. We love her for who she is. I wouldn’t change a single thing about her as a person but I would change her health. She’s had to battle more than some with her health.

“She’s courageous, she’s brave, she’s strong. I just look at her and wonder every single day ‘how do you do this?’

“[Turning 18] is a huge milestone. We just want to celebrate it.”

Fiona has thanked everyone who came forward and helped with donations for the ladies day, ensuring it was a special day for Erin.