*Welcome to the CLDF Media Room* | Press Releases | Current Press Releases | Cambridge mum celebrates day she feared she wouldn't see - 21/02/08

Cambridge mum celebrates day she feared she wouldn't see - 21/02/08

A Cambridge mum who feared she would never have children after surviving a life-saving liver transplant is urging people to support a national charity close to her heart.

Sarah Barton (38) will be celebrating on Sunday 2 March with two year old daughter Madeleine and is sharing her story to help raise awareness of Children's Liver Disease Foundation, the only organisation in the UK dedicated to fighting childhood liver disease and which her parents helped to create.   

When Sarah was eight she was diagnosed with chronic active hepatitis (inflammation of the liver).  At the time there was little organised support of families of children with liver disease and Sarah's mother and father got together with other parents to help create what is now an internationally-renowned charity dedicated to fighting all liver diseases of childhood.

At the age of 21, after many years fighting infection, Sarah's condition deteriorated and she was told she would need a liver transplant.  Her family waited anxiously until a donor organ became available a year later.

Sarah made a good recovery but several years on she and partner Darren feared that they may not be able to have children. To their great delight, Madeleine was born in December 2005.

Sarah says: ”Few people realise that babies, children and young people can be affected by liver disease through no fault of their own or their parents.  In fact two children are stuck down by liver disease every day in the UK. 

"CLDF provides a lifeline to families like ours, giving vital information and support.  The charity also funds important research into the causes but it desperately needs further funds to be able to continue its work.”

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF), adds: “Sarah and her family have spent years coping with the devastation that childhood liver disease can bring, and CLDF’s services are vital to thousands of families affected.  Thanks to Sarah's parents and others like them, families now have 24/7 access to information, support and the hope that further research can bring.

"We should also remember that Sarah, Darren and Madeleine are able to celebrate this special day thanks to a family who gave their consent for organ donation.  We would urge people to consider joining the organ donor register and to make their wishes known to their family.”

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

 - Ends -

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