WATCH: She may never meet her donor, yet Alexandria Gold’s mother calls him her “hero.” Susan Hay reports.
TORONTO- Alexandria Gold is a vibrant young girl who received a life changing transplant from an anonymous donor. She became sick with jaundice at just two weeks old.
“Any baby who is still jaundiced after two weeks of life needs to be seen by a healthcare professional, blood work done and if the bilirubin level is elevated, then an early referral to a pediatric hepatologist is utterly important,” said Dr. Vicky Ng, the Medical Director of the Liver Transplant Program at SickKids.
Alexandria started to show signs of liver failure. Alexandria’s mom, Jessica Gold, said her daughter needed a liver transplant after she was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia.
“Biliary Atresia is a disease that affects only babies, and what happens is shortly after birth they are yellow- and this jaundice actually occurs because bile… gets trapped and built up in the liver as a result it causes damage and scarring of the liver,” Dr. Ng said.
Alexandria was placed on an organ wait list. Fortunately for Alexandria, she received a liver within eight days of being listed for a transplant. At five months old she underwent her liver transplant from a deceased donor.
“Somebody lost their loved one and I couldn’t imagine being on their side of the table, … so when I see her it is just a miracle,” Gold said.
Despite going through so much at such a young age, Alexandria has grown into a fun loving girl who loves to dance.
“We are actually working together as a team with the family to ensure that her outcomes continue to be optimal and durable,” Dr.Ng said.
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