Boy with liver ailment sees hope

The promise of a new life and a bright future await seven-year-old Louie Adrielle Perez after his liver transplant surgery scheduled for this week.

Perez, who was born with biliary atresia, a life-threatening liver disorder, will be operated on at the Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong tentatively on June 28.

A kind-hearted physician, Dr. Vanessa de Villa, volunteered to perform Louie’s surgery.

Louie will be accompanied by his parents, Mary Jean, 26, and Ernanie, 27, on a flight to Hong Kong tomorrow.

According to Jean, her husband Ernanie will donate a part of his liver to their son.

Biliary atresia is characterized by obstruction of the bile ducts which carry bile, a digestive juice, from the liver to the gallbladder. Because of the obstruction, bile accumulates in the liver, causing cirrhosis or liver damage.

"I am praying very hard for the operation’s success. We really want to see him grow up," Jean said in Filipino.

At first, people were skeptical about whether Louie would live far into childhood. Children with biliary atresia typically live to about three years of age.

But Louie proved them wrong. It was his strong determination to live that kept him alive this long, Jean said.

Louie has always tried to beat the odds, she added.

At present, the family is beset with the problem of how to raise the P5 million needed for Louie’s liver transplant surgery. The amount does not even cover Louie’s expenses for his post-surgery care.

"I am very thankful to those who responded to our call for assistance. I hope you will not get tired in helping those who are in need like us," Jean said.

So far, the family has yet to raise the P5 million.  

The STAR’s Operation Damayan wishes to thank the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Violeta Ang for donating P2.5 million and P2,000, respectively, for Louie, and the Philippine Airlines for shouldering the round-trip tickets for Louie and his parents to Hong Kong.

Damayan also wants to thank donors for other Damayan projects, including Mr. Kyung Ho Min for donating P7,380; Mr. and Mrs. Tirso Anonas, clothing; C.O.V., P500; Ricardo Fullante, P1,000; and Virginia Decena, P2,000.

Those who would like to help Louie may deposit directly at China Bank account number 2651159010, under account name Mary Jean Perez. For inquiries, interested parties may call Damayan coordinator Millet Diosio at 527-7901 to 10, local 129, at office hours on weekdays.