*Welcome to the CLDF Media Room* | Press Releases | Archived Press Releases | 2006 August 29 - Liver disease boy Callum celebrates 10th birthday

2006 August 29 - Liver disease boy Callum celebrates 10th birthday

An Oxfordshire boy who was diagnosed with a life threatening liver disease is looking forward to celebrating his 10th birthday on 9th September. 

Callum Keane, who lives with mum Linda, dad Kevin and brother Connor in Banbury was diagnosed with autoimmune liver disease four years ago when he was six.

Autoimmune liver disease is caused when the body’s immune system malfunctions and attacks part of itself, in this case, the liver.  The symptoms vary greatly from child to child; some are relatively well and active whilst others can be very ill and present with liver failure. 

Callum was diagnosed with the disease just before Christmas 2001.  He had been sick for over three months and had been unable to keep food down, was gradually losing weight and was also jaundiced.

Doctors at Horton Hospital told the couple that they suspected there may be a problem with Callum’s liver and the family were referred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital – one of three specialist liver centres in the UK – where Callum underwent further tests.

Three days later Linda and Kevin were given the news that Callum had autoimmune liver disease.  

Mum Linda says, “The three months before Callum was diagnosed were the worst.  No-one could confirm what was wrong with him and they couldn’t seem to stop him vomiting, it was awful.  Although it was hard to come to terms with the fact that our little boy had this life threatening condition, at least we now knew what was wrong with him and he could start getting the right medication to ease his suffering.”

There is currently no cure for autoimmune disease but there is treatment in the form of medicines, normally steroids, which aim to prevent the immune system from attacking itself. These are powerful medicines and have the disadvantage in that they reduce a child’s ability to fight any sort of infection. 

Since diagnosis and beginning treatment, Callum, who attends St Leonard’s school has been progressing well and doesn’t let his liver disease prevent him from doing the every day things most boys his age enjoy.  He loves canoeing – he recently reached his goal of passing his canoeing test – football, fishing, attending cubs and camping.

Dad Kevin says, “Callum’s tenth birthday will be a very special milestone for the whole family.
Callum has been so brave over the past four years. He started full time school when he was ill but he has nearly always got full attendance, he doesn’t his liver disease get him down. We know that Callum will require daily medication and monitoring for the rest of his life and could require a transplant in the future if his condition deteriorates. That is a lot to take on board but going through this has really made us appreciate every day and brought us together as a family.  We now also do fostering which is something we’d never done before.” 

Callum hopes to spend his birthday taking part in an off road driving day for mini drivers and says his ideal present would be his own canoe.

Now that Callum is doing so well the family are keen to raise awareness that children can be affected by liver disease and of the charity dedicated to fighting childhood liver disease; Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF). 

Linda adds, “Few people realise that every day in the UK two children are diagnosed with a life threatening liver disease.  Like many people we didn’t even realise that children could be affected by liver disease until Callum became ill.  We learnt of CLDF during our time in hospital and they became a lifeline, providing much needed information and support.  When you feel so alone it is nice to know there is always someone at the end of a phone to answer your questions, or to just be able to speak to someone who understands.  We are keen to ensure that CLDF is able to continue its vital work supporting families affected by childhood liver disease, and funding research into the causes.”

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, adds, "We are delighted that Callum is doing so well and wish him a very happy tenth birthday.  The fact is that there are over 100 liver diseases which can affect any child of any age and quite simply we don’t know why they occur.  Until we do children like Callum will continue to become ill.  We desperately need more funds to continue our support, education and research programmes.”

For further information on the work of the Foundation, please visit www.childliverdisease.org or call 0121 212 3839.

 - Ends -

For further information on this story please contact: 
Rachel Markham, Children’s Liver Disease Foundation,
Tel: 0121 212 6012, e-mail: communications@childliverdisease.org

Note to editors:
Children’s Liver Disease Foundation is a unique national charity that fights childhood liver diseases through funding pioneering research and educating healthcare professionals and the general public. Formed in 1980, it provides professional, emotional support to families affected and is the only organisation of its kind in the UK.

Childhood liver disease – the facts
• More children in the UK are currently diagnosed with a liver disease than childhood leukaemia
• At least two children are diagnosed with a liver disease every day in the UK
• Most childhood liver diseases are life threatening; all mean a lifetime of care
• There are over 100 different liver diseases that can affect babies, children or young people
• For most childhood liver diseases the cause is unknown
• Liver disease has no cure
• CLDF is the only organisation in the UK dedicated to stamping out childhood liver disease