Natalie Williams - Liver Transplant
Donation protected
Natalie was born with a rare, life-long and life-threatening childhood liver disease called Biliary Atresia that affects 1 in 19,000 infants shortly after birth, there is no cure and no known cause.
Biliary Atresia causes shrinkage of the bile ducts leading to severe damage of the liver and eventually liver failure, usually within the first few years of life.
Natalie is a rare case and has survived 19 years before needing a liver transplant, but her liver is now failing. She struggles with the side-effects and symptoms of reduced liver function which is affecting other organs and systems, especially her spleen and digestion. She has compromised quality of life, is restrained from doing normal activities, suffers from infections of the liver (cholongitis), and is often in pain. She is frequently in hospital.
To learn more about Natalie and Biliary Atresia, visit - http://baar.ca and
https://www.facebook.com/BiliaryAtresia.ca/
Natalie has reached people all over the world through the organization Biliary Atresia Awareness & Research (BAAR) which she set up with her family in 2012. Through BAAR she has educated doctors, nurses, midwives and the general public, won North America’s biggest social media award, and was honoured patient of the year at the 2015 Canadian Liver Foundation Gala.
Natalie was officially placed on the waiting list for a new liver on October 6th 2016. Ultimately, without a new liver Natalie will not survive.
Post transplant, Natalie will be required to stay near to the hospital in Vancouver for at least 3 months, to monitor her closely for rejection and other potential complications that would need immediate medical attention.
During these 3 months a support person needs to be with Natalie 24/7. This will be her mom, Nickie, who will take extended unpaid leave from work.
Natalie's dad, Matt, and her twin sister, Kathryn, will visit Natalie regularly, travelling on the ferry to Vancouver from their home on Vancouver Island, where they will be looking after the house and pets.
As well as the ferry costs, there will be accomodation costs while staying in Vancouver, food, parking fees and transportation costs to & from the hospital. Natalie will also require medication, life-long anti-rejection drugs, and rehabilitation post transplant.
The family have been told that to cover the costs associated with transplant, staying in Vancouver, and loss of income, they should set aside a minimum of $15,000 in preparation for Natalie’s transplant.
We struggled contemplating on whether to set this up, but many friends and family asked how they could help and where they could donate.
The family truly appreciates every donation received.
Thank you!
Biliary Atresia causes shrinkage of the bile ducts leading to severe damage of the liver and eventually liver failure, usually within the first few years of life.
Natalie is a rare case and has survived 19 years before needing a liver transplant, but her liver is now failing. She struggles with the side-effects and symptoms of reduced liver function which is affecting other organs and systems, especially her spleen and digestion. She has compromised quality of life, is restrained from doing normal activities, suffers from infections of the liver (cholongitis), and is often in pain. She is frequently in hospital.
To learn more about Natalie and Biliary Atresia, visit - http://baar.ca and
https://www.facebook.com/BiliaryAtresia.ca/
Natalie has reached people all over the world through the organization Biliary Atresia Awareness & Research (BAAR) which she set up with her family in 2012. Through BAAR she has educated doctors, nurses, midwives and the general public, won North America’s biggest social media award, and was honoured patient of the year at the 2015 Canadian Liver Foundation Gala.
Natalie was officially placed on the waiting list for a new liver on October 6th 2016. Ultimately, without a new liver Natalie will not survive.
Post transplant, Natalie will be required to stay near to the hospital in Vancouver for at least 3 months, to monitor her closely for rejection and other potential complications that would need immediate medical attention.
During these 3 months a support person needs to be with Natalie 24/7. This will be her mom, Nickie, who will take extended unpaid leave from work.
Natalie's dad, Matt, and her twin sister, Kathryn, will visit Natalie regularly, travelling on the ferry to Vancouver from their home on Vancouver Island, where they will be looking after the house and pets.
As well as the ferry costs, there will be accomodation costs while staying in Vancouver, food, parking fees and transportation costs to & from the hospital. Natalie will also require medication, life-long anti-rejection drugs, and rehabilitation post transplant.
The family have been told that to cover the costs associated with transplant, staying in Vancouver, and loss of income, they should set aside a minimum of $15,000 in preparation for Natalie’s transplant.
We struggled contemplating on whether to set this up, but many friends and family asked how they could help and where they could donate.
The family truly appreciates every donation received.
Thank you!
Organizer
Nickie Williams
Organizer
Cowichan Valley, BC