The BA Hero Fund was set up in honor of babies diagnosed with Biliary Atresia and all donations will go towards the Biliary Atresia Research Program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta headed by Dr. Saul J. Karpen. Biliary Atresia is a condition that affects one in roughly every 10,000 babies born in the USA and it’s the most common cause for liver transplant in children.

Biliary atresia is a chronic, progressive liver disease that becomes evident shortly after birth. Tubes in the liver, called bile ducts, normally allow a liquid produced by the liver called bile to drain into the intestines and kidneys. In biliary atresia, bile ducts in the liver are blocked or absent. When the bile is unable to leave the liver through the bile ducts, the liver becomes damaged and many vital body functions are affected.

Like most people, I had never heard of this disease before but it all changed when my daughter, Julia, was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia in the fall of 2017 at just 3 months old. After months of waiting and even after increasing her PELD score to the highest number possible on the National Organ Waiting list , a liver never came. As Julia’s health started to rapidly decline, I (her mom) underwent a series of testing to be evaluated as a possible match for her.

On March 26, 2018, Julia received a portion of my liver and a second chance at life. Immediately after her transplant, Julia became a different baby and has since been full of energy and laughter!

Although there are many amazing and heartwarming stories of babies surviving BA, we can’t forget that Biliary Atresia is an aggressive and unforgiving disease that has taken the lives of many babies. Unfortunately, little is know about it. Currently, there is no way to predict, prevent, or cure Biliary Atresia and the only form of treatment is a liver transplant. CHOA is not only one of the few hospitals in the country that are able to perform living donor transplants but they’re also making great advances with their research program.

We want you to help us find a cure for Biliary Atresia with your donation in honor of all those little warriors that have fought and all those who continue to fight this disease. It is our hope that no other baby will have to fight such a terrible fight and the no other family will have to live through this hard journey.

We thank you for your donation from the bottom of our hearts.

With love and appreciation,

Julia, Analy & Jose