Lisa Willice Silva

Friends of Lisa Willice Silva are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a transplant. Lisa Willice Silva Kidney Transplant has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.

Ocean’s Gift: A Son Prepares to Give His Mother the Gift of Life

On Wednesday, October 21, actor, singer and sports commentator Ocean Peace Silva is scheduled to give his mother, author Lisa Willice Silva what their family calls the ultimate gift: one of his kidneys.

The mother-and-son transplant is scheduled to take place at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. But for Lisa, the story of Ocean’s Gift did not begin with kidney failure. It began years ago, when Ocean was a newborn and she found herself praying that her son would simply survive.

When Ocean was just nine days old, Lisa says he became seriously ill with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). By his 15th day of life, his condition had become critical. Lisa remembers six doctors standing over her baby and preparing her for the possibility that his heart could stop.

Medical personnel rushed into the room with oxygen tanks, wires and equipment to transport the critically ill newborn. As Ocean was prepared for an ambulance ride to UCLA, Lisa began praying.<4cc978f1e369a1f9be5ae73237405f8ee6cf542cee249f3c4d85ad3c6154640f.png><8a470000db8580c1b9819793030499b23902b986a5334fc1e52495c8f7d85424.png><15d2df1b14b028ce9043a6b05e229509df8b8d4f0f3e9bdd056f98f23342cda7.png>

“God, please don’t take this child. I named him after something You created, and I middle-named him Peace. Lord, if You allow me to raise this child, I will make sure he knows You.”

Lisa remembers something changing inside her immediately after that prayer.

“The fear was gone,” she recalled. “Every dark cloud was lifted.”

Ocean’s heart never stopped. Lisa says his heart rate had slowed during the medical crisis, but he survived.

For Lisa, it became a moment she would carry with her for the rest of her life: she had prayed and fought for her son’s life.

She could never have imagined that years later, he would volunteer to fight for hers.

Decades later, Lisa’s own health journey would lead her to kidney failure and the need for a transplant.

About two years ago, while Ocean was visiting his mother in Hawaii, Lisa asked him to accompany her to a transplant seminar. She needed someone there with her and asked him to help take notes.

Ocean went simply intending to support his mother.

Instead, the meeting changed both of their lives.

As he listened to the information about kidney transplantation and living donation, Ocean became increasingly inspired. Then he raised his hand.

“I am my mom’s donor,” he announced.

Lisa was stunned and emotional.

Ocean turned to his mother and explained why he believed the decision was bigger than either of them.

“Mom, you fought for me to have life years ago, and I believe God kept me alive so one day I could save you. I am your donor.”

Ocean told his mother that he believed they would be a match.

According to Lisa, Ocean told her that God had placed the decision on his heart and that he believed he would pass every test required to become her living kidney donor.

He did.

Now, the child whose mother once rode in an ambulance praying that his heart would continue beating is preparing to enter an operating room to give that same mother a chance at a healthier life.

For Lisa, the connection between those two moments is impossible to ignore.

When Ocean was a newborn, she pleaded for the opportunity to raise him.

Now her grown son, 21 years old is voluntarily undergoing surgery so that his mother may have more years of life.

Their journey has become known as “Ocean’s Gift.” And will be a documentary. 

It is a story about kidney disease and living organ donation, but for Lisa and Ocean, it is also a story about faith, family, sacrifice and a promise that appears to have traveled full circle.

A mother once prayed:

“Please let my son live.”

Years later, that son looked at his mother and answered with a gift of his own:

“You fought for me to have life. Now I can help save your life.”