When Vicky Ogg was told to say goodbye to her son Kacey for the ninth time, she could hardly believe she might have to utter those words again. For the Ogg family of Chorley, Lancashire, the past five years have been a relentless cycle of hope, heartbreak, and—ultimately—astonishing resilience. Their story, recounted by both BBC News and the Lancashire Telegraph, is one of medical miracles, unwavering family strength, and the quiet heroism of a local children’s hospice.
Kacey’s ordeal began when he was just eight weeks old, a day before Christmas Eve in 2019. What should have been a season of firsts for the newborn became a harrowing medical emergency. According to BBC News, Kacey was diagnosed with short bowel syndrome, a rare and incurable disease caused by a birth defect. The condition left him with only a fraction of his small intestine, making the basic act of absorbing nutrients nearly impossible. Doctors told Vicky and her husband Mike that their tiny son might not survive the night. "Kacey became so poorly, he was dying every day," Vicky recalled.
In those early months, Kacey underwent three major surgeries, which removed most of his small intestine. The only way to keep him alive was through tube feeding, but this lifeline came with a cruel twist—the nutrition that sustained him began to destroy his liver. As the months wore on, it became clear that Kacey would need not just one, but three new organs: a liver, a small intestine, and a large colon. The prospect was daunting. "We put all of our hearts and souls into wishing for Kacey to get the transplant he needed – as the organs wouldn’t be easy to find," Vicky told the Lancashire Telegraph. Given Kacey’s small size, finding a suitable donor was an uphill battle, and the surgery itself was fraught with risk.
Yet throughout this exhausting ordeal, Kacey—by all accounts—remained a beacon of joy. "Throughout it all Kacey has just had a big smile on his face and just got through with so much strength," Vicky said. His two brothers, Brody and Morgan, watched their youngest sibling fight for his life as the family waited for the call that could change everything.
That call finally came in May 2024. A suitable donor had been found, and Kacey was rushed to Birmingham for the high-risk, multi-organ transplant. The Oggs were told, once again, to prepare for the worst. But this time, hope won out. The surgery was a success. "When we were told Kacey’s transplant had been successful, it felt like winning every lottery in the world all at once – an absolute miracle," Vicky shared, echoing her earlier words to BBC News about the overwhelming relief and gratitude she felt.
Even after the transplant, the journey was far from over. As Vicky explained, "Even though Kacey has had the transplant, it is not a cure. But we’re on a different journey now." The risk of infection remained high, and for years Kacey was unable to attend nursery or socialize with other children. Any illness could have jeopardized his place on the transplant list or, later, his fragile new organs. The family lived in a state of cautious optimism, celebrating small milestones and clinging to hope for a more normal future.
One constant throughout their ordeal was the support they received from Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley. The hospice, which has served families for more than 30 years, became a sanctuary for the Oggs. "I had a horrible idea of what a hospice is but I finally visited and felt the warmth and magic when you walk in and from then on the hospice has been an amazing hub of support for our whole family," Vicky told BBC News. It wasn’t just medical care—Derian House offered playgroups, a sensory room, a small cinema, sibling support groups, and counseling. For Brody and Morgan, the sibling group provided a space to process their feelings. For Vicky, counseling was a lifeline. And for the whole family, the hospice’s holiday lodges allowed them to make precious memories together, even when travel abroad was impossible due to Kacey’s health.
"We also made precious family memories at their holiday lodges, since we couldn’t travel abroad," Vicky said. "And even though Kacey has had the transplant, it is not a cure. But we’re on a different journey now. The hospice is still there to support us all. I don’t know what all of us families would do without the love and support from everyone at Derian House."
Caroline Taylor, deputy chief executive at Derian House Children’s Hospice, underscored the broader impact of stories like Kacey’s. "Stories like Kacey’s enable us to raise awareness of what we do – and the impact it has. Derian House has been helping children make precious memories and giving families care and support when they need it most for more than 30 years. We are always here for those who need us."
In September 2025, Kacey reached a milestone that once seemed out of reach—he started school. For a child who’d missed out on nursery and countless playdates, simply being able to join his peers in the classroom was a victory. And Kacey didn’t stop there. That summer, he participated in the British Transplant Games in Oxford, an event celebrating the strength and spirit of transplant recipients. Against all odds, Kacey won a gold medal in archery and a bronze medal in sprinting. For the Ogg family, these moments were nothing short of miraculous.
Yet, as Vicky is quick to note, the journey isn’t over. Kacey’s condition is managed, not cured, and the family continues to rely on the support of Derian House and the wider community. For them, this Christmas carries a resonance that words can hardly capture. "We had no idea whether Kacey would survive to be with us this Christmas, but during those darkest of times, Derian House was there for our family," Vicky said.
As the Oggs look forward to the holidays, they do so with gratitude for the medical teams who saved Kacey’s life, the donors whose gifts made his future possible, and the hospice that has become a second home. Their story is a testament to the power of hope, the importance of community, and the extraordinary courage of one little boy who, against all odds, kept smiling.
