Love and Support for Sophia VanErmen

Sophia was diagnosed with biliary atresia when she was 10 weeks old. Biliary atresia is a disease of the bile ducts wherein they become inflamed and blocked soon after birth. This causes bile to remain in the liver, where it starts to destroy liver cells rapidly. Sophia immediately had a Kasai procedure to bypass the blocked ducts and allow for bile drainage, which was unsuccessful, leaving her only option a liver transplant. Now almost 2 years old, her development has been impeded. Her liver continues to deteriorate, unable to extract vital vitamins and nutrients that she needs and unable to filter out harmful toxins. While she waits for this life saving transplant she continues to face many health complications.  Having been told she is only months from continuous hospitalization. Due to her liver failure she continues to build up fatal amounts of fluid, which lead to frequent visits to the Children’s Hospital (which is three hours from home) for extended hospitalizations and treatments. She is unable to absorb any Vitamin D, which is contributing to her bones being brittle. While in a cast for a lower leg fracture Sophia recently broke her femur and is now partially immobile, hoping for no infections which would delay a liver transplant.  Sophia is on a very special diet in attempts to help her gain weight and nourish her body.  
With continuous hospital visits and stays, surgeries and procedures, expenses are adding up and taking a toll on the family. Please help Sophia and her family. Any donation is appreciated and all that they receive will go directly towards Sophia’s expenses.
You can follow her on http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sophiavanermen