*Welcome to the CLDF Media Room* | Press Releases | Archived Press Releases | 2006 December 18 - Family of local boy diagnosed with life threatening liver disease use birthday ce

2006 December 18 - Family of local boy diagnosed with life threatening liver disease use birthday ce

The family of a Nottinghamshire boy diagnosed with a life threatening liver disease are using the fifth birthday they feared he may never see to highlight the work of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).

Jason Calladine, who lives with mum Lisa, dad Andrew and siblings Robert and Sophie in Sutton in Ashfield, was born on 19th December 2001.  However his family’s joy was short lived as it soon became clear that Jason was seriously ill.

Jason was extremely jaundiced when he was born and tests later revealed that he had a condition called acute hepatic vascular failure.  This means that Jason has no vein from the stomach to the liver and his umbilical veins take the blood straight from the stomach to the heart.  The condition can make those affected react violently if given the wrong food, damage the immune system, stump growth and affect concentration. 

Mum Lisa says, “Jason went through so many tests before we knew what was wrong with him, and then it was a condition that we’d never even heard of.  Nobody expects their child to be born with a life threatening illness.  We didn’t understand a lot of what was going on or what the future might hold, or even if Jason would survive.  It felt like our world had fallen apart and that we completely alone.  CLDF helped show me that this was not the case.”

Since Jason was diagnosed the family have received support from CLDF, a unique national charity dedicated to fighting childhood liver disease.  The family are using Jason’s fifth birthday celebrations to help raise awareness that children can be affected by liver disease – two children are diagnosed with a life threatening liver disease every day in the UK - and the vital work undertaken by CLDF. 

Lisa adds, “CLDF provided information and advice and really have been a lifeline. Thankfully, after careful monitoring and many periods in hospital, Jason is now doing well.  However it is still reassuring to know that CLDF is there for us whenever we need them in the future. 

“Jason will continue to require a special diet, be regularly monitored at hospital, and he is small for his age.  But day to day he is a happy, energetic boy and he enjoys attending Leamington Primary School and he is very popular there. Jason’s fifth birthday will be a very important milestone for the whole family and we will be having a family day out and a party with his friends. This Christmas will also be extra special, and so different from what we were going through of five years ago.”

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, adds, "We are glad to hear that Jason is doing well and are very grateful to the family for using this important milestone to champion our work. Few people realise that more children are diagnosed with a liver disease than childhood leukaemia and there are currently no cures.  With over 100 different liver diseases which can affect any child of any age, we desperately need to raise more funds to continue and enhance our family support, education and research programmes.”

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:

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