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Somerset mum celebrates - 21/02/08

A Somerset mum whose son is battling a life threatening and incurable liver condition is urging people to support a national charity close to her heart.

Siobhan David, from Yeovil, is sharing her story for Mother’s Day on Sunday 2 March, to help raise awareness of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF) - the only organisation fighting all liver diseases of childhood.

CLDF offered vital support when Siobhan’s son Jonathan, now ten, was diagnosed with auto-immune liver disease when he was eight.  He had become jaundiced, lost weight and it was noticed that his urine had become dark and his stools pale – all signs of possible liver disease. 

Auto-immune liver disease is an incurable condition caused when the body’s immune system malfunctions and attacks part of itself, in this case, the liver.  Since being diagnosed, Jonathan has faced many hurdles and spells in hospital.  He now takes daily medication and steroids to help control the condition but is back attending Preston Primary School and playing football.

Siobhan, who also has another son Andrew (24) and daughter Lauren (18) says: “I was devastated to learn that Jonathan had a liver disease as I didn’t even know that children could be affected. I’ve since learnt that at least two children every day in the UK are struck down with a liver condition through no fault of their own or their parents.

“I now treasure events like this even more as when Jono was diagnosed I didn’t know if we’d be sharing another Mother’s Day together. I do worry about the future as we know there is no cure for Jono’s condition but CLDF’s support makes a huge difference.  It is so vital that CLDF’s research programme is able to continue to help improve our understanding of these conditions and the treatments available.” 

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, adds: “Sadly, Siobhan and Jonathan’s story is all too common and shows the uphill struggle families face in coping with childhood liver disease. CLDF’s services give enormous hope but they can only continue with public support.  People can make a difference to thousands of families and every penny really does help.”

For further information on the work of the Foundation call 0121 212 3839 or 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