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2004 October 6 - Liver Disease Girl Celebrates 21st Birthday

NEWS RELEASE

6 October 2004

LIVER DISEASE GIRL CELEBRATES 21st BIRTHDAY

Laura Cavey of Calcot will reach a major milestone on 8 October when she celebrates her 21st birthday.

Laura suffers from a rare liver condition known as biliary atresia which causes the bile ducts to become progressively blocked leading to irreversible liver damage. At two months old Laura underwent a Kasai operation a procedure that helps alleviate the liver damage.

Since diagnosis, Laura and her family have been helped by the Children's Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF), a unique national charity that fights liver disease in children and young people. She says: "It is comforting to know that the Foundation is there. My parents have really appreciated and benefited from CLDF’s support over the years especially in those early days when I was first diagnosed. Until recently I was unaware that two children every day are diagnosed with liver disease, so its work is vital."

She continues: "I know that I have been lucky in that I have never been made to feel any different because of my condition. I try to live a relatively healthy lifestyle, but apart from that I have had a successful recovery."

Laura is currently in her third year studying English Literature at The University of Birmingham. She continued: "I graduate next year and after that I plan to start my career. I don’t know exactly which path I’m going to take, but I am confident that the future is bright."

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of CLDF, said: "We’re all delighted that Laura is doing so well and about to celebrate a special birthday. Most people do not realise that children get liver disease, but in fact one in every 2,700 newborn babies will have liver disease and we all have an equal chance of it being our child, grandchild, niece or nephew. Children with biliary atresia like Laura are alive today thanks, amongst other things, to CLDF’s efforts in funding pivotal research studies. It is only with the help of our supporters that we can continue this vital work."

If you would like more information about childhood liver disease or the work of CLDF please call 0121 212 3839 e-mail info@childliverdisease.org or visit www.childliverdisease.org

ENDS

For more information about this story please contact Rebecca O’Connor on 0121 212 6012 or e-mail rebeccaOC@childliverdisease.org