The team at Liver UK are saddened to hear that Shohnanna, one of our amazing young people, has passed away aged 27.
Shohanna, who was born with biliary atresia, received a liver transplant when she was two years old. Her mum Deloris recalls how, once she overcame some initial mild rejection, the benefits of the transplant were clear, particularly when she started school.
“She loved to read and started by reading road signs and then multiple books. We even had to quiz her about the books as she finished them so quick, we thought she had skipped pages but for sure she could tell you about the book in great detail!”
In 2004, Shohanna was the youngest of a select group of patients to visit the then then Prime Minister, Tony Blair in Downing Street to celebrate ten years of the Organ Donor Register. And in 2011, she joined a group of other young people with liver conditions on Closer to the Edge, a week of outward-bound activity organised by Children’s Liver Disease Foundation. Deloris recalls: “She did enjoy her time there, being around young people who were unique like herself”.
After school, Shohanna studied acting at college and then worked in the banking sector. At the same time, she set up her own business, Gifts by Anna, which attracted customers from all over the world. Last year she started working as a digital support specialist for Bupa while studying for a master’s degree in computer science and coding.
“Shohanna achieved so much despite all the obstacles she faced”, says Deloris. She was a fighter and it was hard for us to watch her struggle and get back up and keep trying. She had two younger sisters age 22 and 23 who she loved and looked after so well.”
When Shohanna became ill earlier this year she was transferred to Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital in May but she sadly passed away in June, surrounded by her family and friends.
We send our deepest condolences to her parents, sisters and all Shohanna’s family and friends. And thank you to her colleagues at Bupa for their kind donation; Shohanna had requested Liver UK as her chosen charity prior to her passing.
