# @elilillyco on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CsGo-UbNvTG
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/64294469-elilillyco-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/584e1b9615.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-05-11T13:00:21.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Eli Lilly and Company (@elilillyco) — https://gondola.cc/elilillyco

## Caption

More than twenty years ago, Alison Piper and Dani Wilson met in high school in Johannesburg, South Africa. Since then, they've shared major milestones.

Married with two small children, Alison received a call in April 2022. Dani's eight-week-old son Hudson had acute liver failure; he desperately needed a transplant. "When Huddy got sick, and I called to update Ali on his situation, she was there without hesitation," said Dani.

Friends and family rallied to see if they were a match. "There was no question whether we would do it. My husband was 100% supportive." Alison said. "We would pray that somebody would do this for our child, and we were more than happy to go through the journey." Alison was confident her friend would be there for her children if the roles were reversed.

Alison was a match.

Five hours later, Alison was on the operating table at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre in Johannesburg. The surgeon removed 300 grams of Alison's liver and shaved it down to 130 grams to fit into Hudson's tiny body. Alison went home a week later.

"We work at Lilly to improve patients' lives. Lilly has been wonderful and supportive throughout this process," said Alison. "Giving some of my liver is not to be taken lightly; you change lives. It's changed my life. It certainly changed the life of a baby and his family."

After a year, Alison healed completely. Hudson can stand and play with his twin sister and older brother. He will always be on medication and possibly need another transplant later in life. Hudson is the youngest recipient of a liver transplant in Africa.

Still giving of herself, Alison shares her experience with potential donors to ease their fears.

Two takeaways from Alison’s experience: "Relationships are everything and add meaning to your life and are worth treasuring," said Alison. "Ali will always be one of the most important people in my life," echoes Dani.

Secondly, the experience was profound. “It was a gift I could give to save a life," said Alison.
 
Alison Piper
International Omnichannel Customer Experience Manager, South Africa

#WeAreLilly - 37,000 global employees #PoweredbyPurpose

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 466
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 31

## Tags

poweredbypurpose, wearelilly

---
Copyright (c) Gondola