Alyssa’s Story

“My son, Noah, was diagnosed with a rare liver disease, Biliary Atresia, at 4-months old. Being a first-time mother, I was in denial of how sick he was at first until he was being prepared for his first major surgery and I felt hopeless. Noah was placed on the liver transplant waiting list at just 18 weeks old after his first surgery, the Kasai procedure, failed. He received his lifesaving liver transplant at 6-months old after his condition worsened and he was placed on a ventilator to help him breath. Immediately his PELD score was adjusted to a 1B, meaning he needed an emergency transplant. The moment Noah went in for his transplant, I remember feeling relieved and knowing that his surgery was going to be a success, and it was.

Noah is now 4-years old, healthy and thriving all because of an organ donor. He attends preschool and absolutely loves to be outdoors riding his bike and running around. No one would know all of the obstacles he has overcome by looking at him. His liver team at Stanford Children’s Health – Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford is so happy with his recovery and progress. His experience and everything I went through as a parent advocating for him gave me an interest to spread awareness about pediatric liver disease, blood donation, and the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. My journey has lead me to work in the field of donation as the Director of Marketing and Development for Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank where I am dedicated to saving and enhancing lives. If we are ever able to meet his donor family, I would thank them for their selflessness and giving my son a second chance at life.”