Little livers and big, big hearts

As if the idea of life-or-death transplant needs weren't sad enough, it's downright heart-wrenching when you hear about liver disease in little kids. That's been on my mind a lot lately, but thankfully the news I have been hearing is more positive than negative.

First, I heard from a bold young man who wrote from Canada to tell me he's getting tested to donate for a 10-month-old infant he read about in the newspaper. I am motivated and inspired when I hear of and from people who are generous enough to even look into donating for a stranger. Thanks for writing.

Then, hope came in the form of a phone call to my co-workers' family, whose two adorables, Kyle and Sami, are afflicted by Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Kyle had already had his transplant, but Sami was awaiting hers. And then late on Wednesday, the night before Kyle was scheduled for a follow-up surgery, a liver became available for Sami. Both kids had surgeries early that morning, and both are doing well! Shannon and family, you're all in my thoughts and prayers!