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*Welcome to the CLDF Media Room* | Press Releases | Archived Press Releases | 2005 December 1 - Double celebration for liver transplant girl
2005 December 1 - Double celebration for liver transplant girl
DOUBLE CELEBRATION FOR LIVER TRANSPLANT GIRL Lucy Franklin is looking forward to an extra special December this year as she celebrates not only her sixth birthday, but also the first anniversary of her life-saving liver transplant. Lucy, from Thornton-Cleveleys, was rushed to Birmingham Children’s Hospital last Christmas Eve in acute liver failure and underwent an emergency liver transplant five days later after a desperate wait for a donor liver. Earlier that month, Lucy had seemed fit and well as she celebrated her 5th birthday on 8th December. However, a week later her mum Heather noticed that the whites of her eyes were jaundiced and Lucy was taken to Victoria Hospital in Blackpool. The family were told that Lucy had an infection and she was discharged two days later. After a week Lucy had not improved and the family took her back to hospital for further tests. Her condition deteriorated and on Christmas Eve and she was transferred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, one of only three specialist paediatric liver units in the UK. Mum Heather says, “Lucy was in liver failure. She was slipping into a coma and without a transplant we knew we didn’t have much time left. Thankfully a donor liver became available and Lucy underwent a transplant on 30th December; my birthday.” The transplant was a success and since the operation Lucy has gone from strength to strength, although she will require medication for the rest of her life to prevent her rejecting her new liver. Like most young girls Lucy loves dancing and sport, and already aims to win a gold medal for sprinting in the Olympics. Heather adds, “I still cry knowing how close we were to losing Lucy. I want people to be aware that this can happen as suddenly as it did to us, and we still don’t know the cause. Not every family is as lucky as ours and some children do die.” The Franklin family are now keen to raise awareness of childhood liver disease and Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF), the charity which offered vital emotional support to the family throughout their experience. Father Paul adds, “We know first hand what a difference CLDF makes to families of children with liver disease and we wanted to do something to help. “Friends have also been offering support, taking part in parachute jumps and the Manchester to Blackpool bike-ride. The landlord and landlady of our local pub, The Golden Eagle, even organised an Elvis evening in November to raise funds for the charity which was fantastic.” Catherine Arkley, chief executive of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation said: "We are extremely grateful to the Franklin family and their friends for their support. Most people don't realise that two children a day are diagnosed with a liver disease in this country - that's greater than the incidence of childhood leukaemia. Many of these diseases are life threatening, but all mean a lifetime of care. Each year we need to raise more money to fund new research projects, educate more healthcare professionals and support more families. Quite simply we have no idea why many of the liver diseases happen. Until we do, children like Lucy will continue to become ill. Our work is vital. " For further information on the work of the Foundation, please visit www.childliverdisease.org or call 0121 212 3839 for a fundraising and information pack. - Ends - For further information on this story please contact Rachel Markham,
Children’s Liver Disease Foundation on 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.
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