Family gives charity thanks for birthday girl Reagan

Shortly after she was born on New Year's Day 2002, Reagan Leyman, from Colburn, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a disease which blocks the bile ducts and leads to irreversible liver damage.

A corrective operation was unsuccessful, her condition deteriorated and her family was told that Reagan's only hope was a liver transplant. She was placed on the transplant list in January 2004 and had the operation at King's College Hospital, in London, in December of that year when a donor organ was found.

Now the youngster's mother, Michelle, and younger brother, Leaun, are looking forward to celebrating Reagan's birthday.

Mrs Leyman paid tribute to the Children's Liver Disease Foundation for its support.

"Nobody expects to be told that their newborn child has a life-threatening and incurable illness," she said.

"I felt so helpless and the wait for a donor organ was horrendous. I really thought Reagan might die and I was so scared of bonding with her because of this. Thankfully, due to one family's unique and special gift, we are now celebrating Reagan's fifth birthday. It is a very special milestone for the whole family."

The family want to raise awareness that children can be affected by liver disease and of the work of the charity, which provided a family support officer.

Reagan will require daily medication for life to help prevent rejection of her new liver, but she has thrived since the operation and now attends Colburn Primary School.

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of the Children's Liver Disease Foundation, said: "It is great to hear how well Reagan is doing and we are very grateful to the family for using this special birthday to champion our work."

She urged people to join the organ donor register at www.uk transplant.org. Information about the charity's work is at www.childliverdisease.org or call 0121-212-3839.