Meeting an Inspiration and the Canadian Liver Foundation

Meeting an Inspiration and the Canadian Liver Foundation 

Tuesday the 18^th was quite a busy day for my mom and I. We set off at 6am to travel to Vancouver for my hospital appointments. The first appointment we went to was with my new specialist, Dr. Charles Scudamore. Dr. Scudamore is known as one of British Columbia’s foremost physicians and is an expert in liver transplantation, I am very lucky to have someone like him take care of me! After my appointment with Dr. Scudamore we went to BC Children’s Hospital for my endocrine appointment with one of my favourite doctors, Dr. Metzger. He never fails to get me laughing and smiling within seconds of walking into his office! He reminds me of how I want to be as a doctor, loving my job and brightening my patients days. Health wise, I’m not going to do an update until we have all results from recent tests and scans!

Later that day I also got to meet with Monica and Mark who are the regional managers for the Canadian Liver Foundation, they were both very lovely selfless people who are full of knowledge about all liver diseases and organ donation! I am excited to say that we are partnering up with the Canadian Liver Foundation in order to help raise even more awareness of pediatric liver diseases and the need for organ donors. Also, to hopefully raise further funds so one day a cure can be found for just not Biliary Atresia, but all liver diseases.

Along with Monica and Mark I got to meet Shelby, who has worked closely with the Canadian Liver Foundation for quite some time now. Shelby is a two time liver transplant recipient with an amazing story – She doesn’t have Biliary Atresia but instead went into acute liver failure at just 14 years old due to a bizarre, severe virus! I am so happy, and relieved, to have finally met someone old enough who I can talk to about this journey, and know that they’ll understand and be able to relate to the physical pain, emotional roller coaster and concerns for the future, as we face similar struggles. While meeting Shelby she gave me a beautiful gift, a 14 carrot gold bracelet, the links of which are in the shape of a liver, and she calls the “Liver bracelet”. She designed it and made it all by hand! She is extremely talented, definitely go and check out all her creations because they truly are beautiful!

Shelby’s jewelry designs

Thank You so much for all your support,

Natalie, BA Fighter – BAAR

Group Selfie with the team! Shelby, Natalie, Nickie (Natalie’s mom) Mark and Monica.

Shelby and Natalie, liver sisters!

Monica, Shelby, Nickie and Natalie