Our Story

Damian was born May 23,2015 at only 36 weeks he weighed 7.4 lbs and measured 20 1/2 in. At three months Damian was diagnosed with Billiary Atresia a rare liver disease, that affects 1 in about 18,000 babies. In August 2015 doctors performed the Kasai procedure  in hopes that this would help Damian and he would not need a transplant. Unfortunately the procedure was unsuccessful.

In October 2015 we where referred to the Children’s Hospital Colorado in aurora Colorado and that is where we were given the news that Damian  would be needing a liver transplant. It has been all overwhelming but with the help of family and friends it has been easier to manage.

Despite Damian’s health issues he is a very happy baby, he loves to bounce in his bouncer and has just figured out to make bubbles with his mouth. This is his new favorite thing to do.
We are very excited to let everyone know that Mr Damian has gotten a second chance at life. On Saturday April 23 around 8:30 PM we got the call from our team coronator that they had a liver we were ecstatic we packed and headed to Colorado. We arrive to the children’s hospital Colorado in Aurora Colorado around 5 in the morning we spent most that Sunday waiting but finally that night they told us he would be having the surgery Monday morning. Monday was one of the most important nerve wrecking days of our lifes but thank god everything went great.

With the cost of a transplant often exceeding $500,000, many transplant families are unable to shoulder the financial burden of such a procedure.  The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) is a national charity dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-related expenses.  In Dumas, volunteers are raising funds for COTA in honor of transplant patients like local baby, Damian Maldonado. 

Follow Damian’s Journey at http://www.facebook.com/LIVERFORDAMIAN