A TEENAGER who was diagnosed with liver disease is celebrating the first anniversary of a life-saving transplant.

Dominic O'Keefe, 16, from Girton Walk, Darlington, underwent the operation in January last year.

He said: "A fantastic milestone for everyone was when I was able to walk mum down the aisle when she married my step-father Mike in October last year.

"It has been great to do normal things again, such as going out with my friends."

He is now studying A-levels at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Darlington, and sings tenor at the town's St Cuthbert's Church.

In January 2004, Dominic developed sores on his legs and the whites of his eyes turned yellow.

He was diagnosed with hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) but his condition quickly deteriorated and in March 2004 he was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis. This is a liver disease in which the bile ducts inside and outside the liver become inflamed and scarred leading to liver failure.

Dominic was treated with steroids - but the side effects were weight gain, hair loss and depression.

In December 2004, when his condition had failed to improve, Dominic was put on the waiting list for a transplant.

The transplant was a success but Dominic will require regular monitoring and medication for the rest of his life to prevent him rejecting his new liver.

His mother Jenny Wyse said: "The transplant has made such a difference to Dominic's standard of life, he is my miracle man. Looking back, it is hard to believe what he has been through over the past two years.

"We have supported each other through all of this and I like to think our life has been enriched in some ways by the experience."

The family want to raise awareness of childhood liver disease and the Children's Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF), which offered them emotional support.

"CLDF were a vital lifeline, providing information and support at what was such a devastating time," said Mrs Wyse.

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of CLDF, said: "Two children a day are diagnosed with a liver disease in this country. Many of these diseases are life-threatening, but all mean a lifetime of care. We have no idea why many of the liver diseases happen."

For more details, or to help the CLDF, log on to www.childliverdisease.org or call (0121) 212 3839.