I would like to thank Jenny and Allison Herr from Metamora for taking the time to stop out to our meeting on Sat. March 13th to share with the group the importance of organ and tissue donation. Jenny did an excellent job explaining to the group on a level in which they understood. Their story started on June 2, 2003 when Allison, the youngest of three was born with a rare pediatric liver disease called "Biliary Atrsia". At seventeen days old, Allison underwent her initial surgery for a bypass to excrete the bile from the liver. The doctors were very hopeful that because it was caught early and because the surgery was done at an early age, that she would just be able to continue on with life as "normal". Their emotional roller coaster began within three months. The bilirubin levels continued to climb, she became feeding tube dependent and was on numerous medications. They were referred to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Liver Transplant Team in November 2003, only to be told, yes you have a sick baby, yes she will need a transplant but she isn't sick enough to be put on the transplant list. Their goal was to get her to reach "one year old". When she was one, she could get all of her immunizations and then be put on the transplant list. Allison was finally listed on July 9, 2004 at one year, one month old. The family had to carry a pager at all times; they anxiously awaited a phone call or a page! Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and months turned into a year! They started to think that their day would never come when her second birthday came and went, she was so.. sick! They continued weekly lab draws and doctors visits too numerous to count! They had local doctor’s appointments and appointments in Cincinnati every two weeks. They watched Allison get worse and worse. At two years old, Allison was as jaundice as a pumpkin. She only weighed 15 pounds and had tiny extremities with a huge distended abdomen. All's they could do was to pray for strength for yet another day. Finally on January 21, 2006 at 12:10 am, when Allison was 2 years and 7 months old, they received a phone call from their coordinator in Cincinnati. It was a shock beyond reality! They had virtually given up but at this moment Allison was given her second chance, a new liver had come through for her! What a flood of emotions!

Allison's transplant went well. There were a few minor ups and downs the first year. She remains on anti-rejection medications. To see her today, you would never know what this poor little girl went through her first three years of her life. Today, she is full of energy and enjoys dancing, running, gymnastics, t-ball and school. Things that at one time all seemed completely impossible! These gifts that are often taken for granted, were all made possible to their family through the generosity of organ donation. They hope to meet their donor family someday and thank them in person for their gift of life to Allison.

Give Life! Become an Organ and Tissue Donor today!

         This is Allison Herr

      Allison Herr & Jenny