Falkirk basketball star is heading for the World Transplant Games after two lifesaving operations

THEY say you only get one chance at life, but Rory Wilson is certainly an exception – because he’s had three!

It’s just 18 months since the 20-year-old underwent lifesaving surgery TWICE.

Amazingly, he feels fitter than ever before and is set to represent Team GB at the World Transplant Games.

“It was scary at the time, but I feel like I have a whole new body,” he said.

Rory, from Carronshore, Falkirk, had two liver transplants in 2015 after being diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a rare liver condition.

The chronic illness involves inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts, which can lead to liver failure.

The diagnosis came as a shock to the whole family, especially as Rory was such an active teenager.

“Rory was so into sports that we hardly saw him in his teens,” mum Donna explained. “If he wasn’t playing basketball or rugby, he was at the gym. He was a complete fitness fanatic.

“For the doctors to say he needed a new liver … we just couldn’t believe it.”

Rory’s symptoms first came to light after he returned from a family holiday in Spain with an upset stomach.

“When it didn’t go away we went to the GP,” said Donna.

“He was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and, six months later, PSC. The two are often linked.”

Many adults can have PSC all their lives before needing a transplant. However, in Rory’s case it was progressive and he needed a new organ immediately.

Thankfully a donor was found and the surgery went ahead. However, a few days later a blood clot meant his body started to reject the organ.

When he developed septicaemia, the race was on to find another liver to save his life.

Rory was put on a UK-wide organ waiting list and, within two days, he was having a second transplant.

“He was very lucky,” Donna said. “The doctors said they had 48 hours to save Rory and, after that, there was nothing more they could do for him.

“As a mum, it was a scary time. Before that point, I had been able to fix him if he got ill. This time, my hands were tied. I felt completely helpless.”

Thankfully Rory came out of the second op fighting fit, and hasn’t looked back since.

“The change in him is unbelievable,” Donna said. “Thankfully it’s all behind us now, but there isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t remember both donors and their families.”

Rory built up his strength and soon returned to his beloved sports.

The college student, who at one point thought he would need to withdraw from his pre-apprenticeship course, is now back with his head in the books.

And just last month he was included in the British basketball squad for this summer’s Games in Malaga.

“Representing his country is a real dream true for Rory after everything he’s been through,” Donna said. “And I couldn’t be prouder.”

Rory must pay his own way to Malaga. To support him, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/yvonne-campbell-1