Our beautiful baby girl Alyssa is truly a ray of light. I call her my sunshine. Not only does she brighten our life, but all of those she has encountered in her life so far. She is special in every way. She was delivered early at 33 weeks on September 24, 2021. We were finally able to take her home after two weeks in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). We were so happy to have her home and she seemed to be growing every day. Months later we noticed the whites of her eyes were yellowing. We will never forget 02/22/2022, which is the day I took Alyssa to her pediatrician and she told me to take her to get blood work done at Lurie Children’s Hospital. My husband met me at the ER and we patiently waited for what seemed like forever. We were told she had to have additional tests done to see what was causing the jaundice. Alyssa was admitted to the hospital and the next day the doctors told us she had biliary atresia and that she would need a liver transplant by the age of one. In biliary atresia, the bile ducts are either not formed or formed incorrectly and become inflamed and blocked soon after birth. This causes bile to remain in the liver, where it starts to destroy liver cells rapidly and cause cirrhosis or scarring of the liver. Its cause is currently unknown. The only cure for biliary atresia is liver transplantation. My husband and I went through so many emotions. We were shocked, confused, angry, and most of all scared. As Alyssa is waiting for a liver transplant, we are focusing on helping her grow stronger for when it’s finally time to have her transplant surgery. We will continue to have faith as Alyssa goes through her journey.

We have partnered with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) for assistance with transplant-related expenses. Please consider donating to COTA for Alyssas Journey.

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) helps children and young adults who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support. COTA is the nation’s only fundraising organization solely dedicated to raising life-saving dollars in honor of transplant-needy children and young adults. 100% of each contribution made to COTA in honor of our patients helps meet transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are free to our families, and gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.