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Darlington mum celebrates day she feared daughter wouldn't see - 21/03/08

A Darlington mum whose daughter underwent a life saving liver transplant after being diagnosed with an incurable liver disease is urging people to support a national charity close to her heart.

Michelle Greene is sharing her story for Mothers Day on Sunday 2 March to help raise awareness of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF), the only organisation in the UK fighting all liver diseases of childhood.

The charity offered vital support and information when daughter Tegan (now 2) was diagnosed with biliary atresia shortly after birth, a condition in which the bile ducts become progressively blocked leading to irreversible liver damage.

Michelle’s mum Lynn had noticed that Tegan’s chest and neck were very yellow.  She was also small for her age, had pale stools and was constantly hungry – all possible signs of liver disease.

Tegan underwent a corrective operation but this proved unsuccessful and her only hope was a liver transplant. She was listed for transplant in November 2005 as her condition continued to deteriorate. To the family’s immense relief a donor organ became available in February 2006.

Tegan has continued to face many challenges since the operation including a number of stays in hospital for chest infections. She must also take daily medication to help prevent her body rejecting the donor organ, but Michelle describes her as ‘a real fighter’. 

Michelle says: “Mother’s Day is very special as I realise how close I came to losing Tegan.  I will also be thinking of the very special donor family who have enabled us to be together. Few people realise that two children like Tegan are diagnosed with a liver disease every day in the UK through no fault of their own or their parents.  CLDF has been a lifeline to me and it is vital that they can continue to provide support to families in the future.”

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, adds: “CLDF enables families to have 24/7 access to information and support and our research programme also gives enormous hope for the future.  However these services can only continue with public support. People can make a difference to thousands of families like Tegan’s and every penny really does help.”

For further information on the work of the Foundation or to sign up to the organ donor register visit CLDF’s website at www.childliverdisease.org

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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