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2006 December 21 - Sister of Northumberland liver disease boy dances to help children with liver dis

The sister of a Northumberland boy diagnosed with a life threatening liver disease as a baby is taking part in a dance show next month to help raise funds for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).

Five year old Kaitlin Cavagin from Blyth will be performing in the Linsey-Carr Academy of Dance School’s charity fundraiser being held at Whitley Bay Playhouse on Saturday 20th January.   Kaitlin will be joined by ninety Northumberland dancers aged between two and fifty years in the show, entitled ‘The Rhythm of Life’.

Shortly after his birth, Kaitlin’s two year old brother Matthew was diagnosed with biliary atresia – a life threatening and incurable liver disease in which the bile ducts become progressively blocked leading to irreversible liver damage. Matthew underwent a corrective operation called a kasai and is now progressing well, although he will need monitoring and daily medication for the rest of his life.  He could also require a transplant in the future if his condition deteriorates.

Since Matthew became ill his family have received practical and emotional support from CLDF, the only organisation in the UK dedicated to fighting childhood liver disease.  When the dance schools proprietor, Lyn Gittens, asked for suggestions for a charity beneficiary for the annual charity show, Kaitlin and Matthew’s mum Alison suggested CLDF:

“I know first hand what a lifeline CLDF’s support is to families affected by childhood liver disease, but the charity desperately needs more funds to be able to continue its vital work. Few people realise that two children are diagnosed with a life threatening and incurable liver disease every day in the UK, so there are thousands of families affected.  Kaitlin has been a member of the dance school since March, and when I explained more about CLDF’s work everyone at the school was keen to use the dance show to support the charity.”

Alison adds, “We are very proud of Kaitlin.  She missed out on lots of things when we needed to stay with Matthew at hospital, but she has never moaned.  We can’t wait to see her in the show as it is the first time she has performed in public. She tells everyone that she is dancing to help Matthew with the big cut on his tummy!”

There are 2pm and 6pm performances of the show which will feature ballet, tap, modern, acrobatics and song. Tickets are available at a cost of £6.50 from the playhouse box office (www.whitleybabyplayhouse.co.uk) All profits go to CLDF.

Lyn Gittens, proprietor of the school says, “Before Alison approached us we’d never even heard of biliary atresia or just how many children suffer from liver disease. When Alison explained how CLDF has helped her family, and that there are over 100 different liver diseases which can affect any child of any age, we were keen to offer our support.  I encourage everyone to come and see this great show and support this wonderful charity.”

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, adds, "We are very grateful to the Cavagin family for championing our work, and to the Linsey-Carr Academy of Dance for staging this fundraising show on our behalf. It is always fantastic to see young people helping other young people. We aim to raise £1 million during 2007 to continue and enhance our family support, education and research programmes, and we hope that local people will help by supporting this event.”

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

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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:

The 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