Laura holding her daughter Gloria in her arms at Evelina London.

Little Gloria receives the gift of life

After receiving a life-saving kidney transplant from her dad, three-year-old Gloria Sirbu is now living her life to the fullest and, thanks to Evelina London Children’s Charity, competed in the British Transplant Games earlier this year.

2021 – Welcome, baby Gloria

In 2021, Laura was given the devastating news at her antenatal scan that her baby had a form of kidney disease. At the time, Laura was on holiday in Romania and was unable to travel back to the UK due to the risks of premature labour. She gave birth to Gloria at 36 weeks, weighing just 5lb 6oz.

Laura said, “The medics told us that we should be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Gloria didn’t make urine for the first three days of her life so we were preparing for her to die – I was trying to enjoy her presence for as long as I could. But then she made a little wee which gave us hope.”

After three weeks in a Romanian hospital, Gloria was discharged, and the family immediately flew home.

Gloria was taken to Evelina London as soon as she arrived in the UK

“We went straight to Evelina London’s specialist emergency department at St Thomas’ Hospital as she was very close to not surviving. She was in a very poorly condition,” Laura said.

Gloria had an acute kidney infection and was breathing very slowly. She was quickly taken to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Evelina London Children’s Hospital.

“They saved her life. She was very poorly and we didn’t have high hopes. We just hoped she would survive the night so they could make a plan for her care. We stayed on PICU and Beach Ward for a month in total,” said Laura.

"Everyone at Evelina London was so helpful and there was nothing more I could have asked for. They have given her the best care and bought her back to life. The dialysis nurses were amazing and there was even a WhatsApp group to ask questions, which was mind-blowing for me."

Laura Seraficeanu, Gloria's mum

Gloria in a pink dress running in front of a play house at Evelina London.

2023 - Gloria receives the best present ever

In May 2023, just days before Gloria’s second birthday, her dad, Sorin Sirbu, gave her the greatest gift by donating his kidney to her.

Laura said, “It was the best present Gloria could have received. Sorin’s surgery took place at Guy’s Hospital and he recovered really well. Gloria stayed at Evelina London for three weeks and is now doing brilliantly…She still has a nasogastric feeding tube to give her fluids, but she started eating solid food around eight months ago. She now eats anything she finds and loves pasta, pizza and fruit.”

Gloria and her mum Laura at the British Transplant Games with Gloria holding up her silver medal.

2024 – Gloria races to a silver medal win!

This summer, Gloria and her mum attended the British Transplant Games, with Gloria proudly taking home a silver medal in the 25-metre race.

The games bring together hospital teams from across the UK to compete in a medley of sports. Each year, Evelina London Children’s Charity supports a team of young kidney transplant recipients and their families to attend. This inspiring event gives children the chance to be children, and to have fun getting fit.

Laura said: “She enjoyed the games so much and made many friends. It was such a lovely experience and very emotional. It made me realise just how lucky we were to be there – Gloria is alive, received the best treatment there was, and had a living donor… I hope other people consider registering their decision to become an organ donor so more children, like Gloria, can be saved.”

For more information about becoming a donor, visit the NHS Organ Donation site.

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“Gloria continues to be monitored by Evelina London but she’s a happy and healthy little girl. I am forever grateful for Evelina London’s greatness and help. We owe the staff everything – nothing we do today would be possible without them.”

Laura Seraficeanu, Gloria's mum