One-year-old Elana Andrews receives liver transplant in Pittsburgh

prosperity. This is a video we just shot. This week's Alaina Rose Andrews. She is now 16 months old and she wakes me up at home. You wake me up every morning with a smile on my face for this interview. We met her at UPMC Children's Hospital with her grandparents. Unlike most children who go to the doctor, Alaina is chronically happy and curious. Yes, she is very curious about everything around her. Is it for your nose? Is that ridiculous? She came here for follow-up after a successful liver transplant. she did very well. As explained in May's story, Alaina was born with biliary atresia. Her surgeon, Dr. Rakesh Shinde, says the condition affects 18,000 children of 1 inch. The liver loses water, causing significant damage to the organ within the first few weeks of life. Bleeding can occur as a result of liver cirrhosis. They can develop infections in the liver, all of which can be life-threatening. She experienced it in the spring. Alaina's family has removed four billboards in the Pittsburgh area in a desperate bid to find a living liver donor for her. She was scheduled to die within three to five years. oh. Yeah, and that was just an unacceptable event. Well, one day we took her to the doctor. Just a routine check-up turns into a frantic search for a liver for a one-year-old baby girl. We published this story in May and made Alana's story known to the Pittsburgh Action News 4 audience. One of you saw that and decided to make the sacrifice, and thankfully he was a fit. Then I heard the woman on the phone leave. We have a donor! That was all I needed to hear. It was the best feeling in the world. The 16-hour surgery took place on August 13th. for aligners. She was admitted to a children's facility for a month for observation, but on August 16, doctors determined she was strong enough to go home. Please take your time to get home. Alaina will likely require lifelong special immunomodulatory medications and frequent follow-up of her children. But there is no doubt that she is progressing well. I also keep in touch with my donor's wife. Although he wishes to remain anonymous for now, she tells me that he is also recovering well and is now back to work. Doctors say donors can expect their liver mass to return to about 90% of its pre-surgery mass within a year, while aligners can now enjoy things that typical young children do. , Kevin had words for this generous soul. If you could say anything to him, what would you say?I would like to thank him from the bottom of my heart. thank you. We don't know you, but we love you. Everything she and we are doing together is because of you and we are so grateful for that. I hope that one day I can hug you around my neck and say thank you. I hope that someday she will hug your neck and say thank you. If you ever need us. Just let these people know and we'll get there. I promise you that. Oh, it was a once-in-a-lifetime joy to meet that family. Alana's family, as you heard, we are so grateful. And they also just want to encourage everyone to become an organ donor and to consider becoming a living donor. And to the gentleman who watched Pittsburgh Action News 4 and acted on it.

Latest news: 1-year-old Elana Rose Andrews undergoes 'successful' liver transplant in Pittsburgh

Updated: September 24, 2024 3:28 PM EDT

In May, we brought you the story of 1-year-old Elana Rose Andrews, who needed a liver transplant. Four months later, Action 4 News reporter Kelly Sasso in Pittsburgh caught up with the child, now 16 months old. and her family shared her journey after a “successful” liver transplant. Watch the video above: Update on Elana Rose's transplant success

Pittsburgh —

In May, we brought you the story of 1-year-old Elana Rose Andrews, who needed a liver transplant.

Four months later, Pittsburgh's Action 4 News reporter Kelly Sasso met with the now 16-month-old baby and her family to talk about her journey after a “successful” liver transplant.

Watch the video above: Update on Elana Rose's transplant success