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2006 July 7 - National Transplant Week - Family of liver transplant boy join forces with CLDF

To celebrate National Transplant Week which takes place from 9th -15th July, the family of a Hull boy who underwent a life saving liver transplant in July 2005 is joining forces with Children’s Liver Disease Foundation to urge the public to join the organ donor register.

Parents Cindy and Peter Flintham from Hathersage Road were devastated when their ten year old son James was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma - a cancer of the liver - in 2002.

James underwent a course of chemotherapy at St James’s University Hospital, Leeds (one of three specialist liver unit hospitals in the UK) to try to kill the cancer cells and to prevent the cancer spreading.  James also endured a liver resection operation which removed part of James’s damaged liver.

James appeared to be doing well.  However in May 2004 test showed that the cancer had reoccurred and James underwent a second bout of chemotherapy but did not respond to the treatment.  Over the coming months more chemotherapy and a second liver resection followed.  Sadly, after the operation, a biopsy showed that there were still active cancer cells and the family were told that James’s only hope of survival was a liver transplant.  The family were devastated.

James was placed on the transplant list in June 2005 for the desperate wait for a donor organ to become available.  To their great relief, a donor liver became available four weeks later and James underwent his life saving liver transplant on 30 July 2005.

Cindy says, “When James was first diagnosed with liver cancer it came as a complete shock. To then be told he needed a transplant after all he’d been through was heart-breaking for us all.  It is hard to believe that nearly a year ago James received his life saving liver transplant, he has come so far and we feel like we’ve got our old James back.  Although we are aware that he will require regular monitoring and daily medication for the rest of his life to prevent him rejecting his new liver, the transplant has not only transformed James’ life but the whole family’s.  We feel like a normal family again.”

Throughout this awful experience, the Flintham family received vital emotional and practical support from Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, the only organisation in the UK dedicated to fighting childhood liver disease.    Now that James is doing so well the family are working with the charity to help raise awareness that children are affected by liver disease and to urge the public to join the organ donor register.

Cindy adds, “We were lucky. James received his liver transplant in time and we will never forget one family’s special gift which allowed James to be here today. Tragically, we know that not all families are so fortunate.  Transplants offer hope for many children affected by liver disease and we know first hand what a difference they can make.  James is looking forward to taking part in the Transplant Games at Bath in August where he will be competing in swimming and obstacle races.  It’s such a thrill to see him so full of life.”

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, says, “It is great to see how well James is doing a year on from his transplant.  Transplants help give a future to children with liver disease and really can transform lives. Our thoughts go to the donor family who have given a most precious gift.  I hope they have some comfort in knowing how much hope and joy they have given to others through their unselfish act.     However there continues to be a desperate lack of donor organs and children do die as a result. We urge the public to think about registering on the organ donor register (www.uktransplant.org) and talk to their relatives to make their wishes known. The difference it could make to a family is indescribable.”

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

National transplant week
National Transplant Week run by Transplants in Mind  takes place between 9th – 15th July and is a week of publicity and
events to promote organ and tissue donation for transplantation. For more information visit www.transplantsinmind.org.uk or call
0117 931 4638