
LITTLE LUELLA NEEDS A LIFE SAVING LIVER TRANSPLANT
Donation protected
On behalf of Luella and her family, we are raising funds to help provide for our best friend and her cancer treatment. Luella was born with stage 3 liver cancer called Hepatoblastoma at high risk; a rare tumor that originates in the liver. This is the most common cancerous liver tumor in early childhood. About eight children in the UK are diagnosed with hepatoblastoma each year, and Luella is one of them.

Luella is a bright and curious 11 month old who finds joy in the simplest things. Despite being so poorly, she is such a happy social little butterfly with the brightest smile! She absolutely adores days out with her family and friends, and she loves everyone’s favourite pink cartoon pig! But behind her sparking eyes and infectious laughter she faces a serious medical challenge: Luella urgently needs a liver transplant to save her life.
This gorgeous strong girl has endured numerous Chemotherapy treatments, 47 rounds to be exact with many CT scans, tests, MRIs, and an operation at just 4 months old to remove the cancer. This operation was to remove the tumour, but unfortunately within two weeks after the operation her cancer markers shot up and they then found another tumour on her liver.
She is the strongest little girl we know, nevertheless this is an extremely challenging time for Luella and her family.
As you can imagine this is an emotionally, exhausting and difficult situation at any point but especially as parents of brand new baby girl. No family should ever have to endure what they are going through. Liver Transplant surgery is, of course, a massive operation and the recovery process is and will be long and ongoing. Throughout this journey, Luella’s parents, Crystal and Rokas, have been her unwavering support system. They've devoted themselves to understanding her complex condition, administering her daily medications and ensuring her every need is met, despite the challenges of reduced work hours, being a single income family and experiencing extended stays away from the comfort of home.
It is the family’s first priority to stay by Luella’s side throughout the entire process. Crystal and Rokas will be taking time away from home and work to provide round-the-clock care and emotional support for their little girl, and each other, during this heartbreaking experience. An additional pressure for the family is the unpredictable nature of a transplant list and the unknowns that follow. Crystal and Rokas are ready to drop everything to make the trip, knowing that there may be “false starts” and each trip is not a guarantee that a transplant will be possible. It is everyone’s hope that a successful surgery can happen soon and be free of complications. However the road to recovery is daunting, with an estimated three-month recovery period, which includes ICU, ward stay and some time staying in Birmingham, as well as her recovery time at home. A liver transplant comes with lifelong immunosuppressant / anti-rejection medication, frequent procedures for monitoring and huge risks. The experienced liver team from BCH and the surgeons have met with and reassured Crystal and Rokas that little Luella is in the very best hands.
We are grateful for any donation you can make.
Thank you so much!!
Let's fight for this little princess while she fights a very hard battle ahead.
Organizer and beneficiary
Luana Sanderson
Organizer
England
Crystal Read
Beneficiary