NEWS RELEASE
9 February 2004
Boy Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Transplant
Robbie Sheargold, aged 10 of Clare in Suffolk will reach a major milestone on 19th February when he celebrates the 10th anniversary of his life saving liver transplant.
Robbie was born with a liver condition called biliary atresia, a rare condition in which the bile ducts in the liver become progressively blocked, leading to irreversible liver damage. At just eight months? old Robbie had to have a life saving liver transplant. Robbie?s case was rare as he was only the second child to have a living related transplant at King?s College Hospital, London, where his mother Karen gave part of her liver to save Robbie?s life.
Karen Sheargold said: "When we were told that Robbie would have to undergo a transplant we were terrified, but we knew something had to be done as he was deteriorating rapidly. As he was very small and because of his blood type, we knew the chances of him getting a donor liver were slim. He was placed on the normal transplant waiting list, but as time was ticking on, it was decided that my husband and I would be tested to see if either of us would be a suitable match with Robbie. I was the best match and on 19th February 1994 Robbie had his transplant."
Karen said that since Robbie was born the family have received tremendous support from the Children's Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF), a unique national charity that fights liver disease in children and young people. Karen continued: "We first heard of CLDF at the hospital where we were given some information on Robbie?s condition and transplantation and met the chief executive, Catherine Arkley. The Foundation has been a huge support, not only through providing us with information about childhood liver disease, but also knowing that the Foundation is there stops you feeling isolated."
Robbie is doing extremely well and only has to have check ups twice a year. Catherine Arkley, chief executive of the Children?s Liver Disease Foundation, said: "Since Robbie?s operation more living related transplants that have taken place, but this option is not suitable for every family. Thanks to major developments in transplant techniques, there are other alternatives now such as split liver transplants, where one liver can benefit two recipients.
"Although there has been great progress in the treatment of children?s liver diseases in the past 10 years there is still so much more research to do if young people like Robbie are to fulfil their potential."
If you would like more information about CLDF then please call 0121 212 3839 or e-mail info@childliverdisease.org
ENDS
If you require more information on this story or about the Foundation please contact Rebecca O?Connor on 0121 212 3839 or e-mail rebeccaOC@childliverdisease.org
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