Parents seek life-saving liver donor for their 2-year-old daughter

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The parents of a San Diego toddler are in desperate search of a life-saving liver-donor for their daughter.

As a baby, 2-year-old Justice was diagnosed with Alagille Syndrome, a rare genetic disease which also causes a number of health problems including liver failure. Doctors told her parents she would only make it to six months, and after beating the odds, her parents are in search of a miracle.

“She gets more tired,” said Justice’s dad, John Danh. “She gets really grumpy and itchy. That’s part of her condition. She gets really itchy, very irritated.”

Frequent trips to the hospital both locally and in Los Angeles has become part of their new normal and finding a donor has been challenging.

“She’s already missed several opportunities because she gets sick, and when she’s sick, she cannot have the surgery,” said Jeanny Torres, Justice’s mom. Torres said her daughter’s best bet is to match with a living donor.

Strong candidates should be blood type A or O, in good physical and mental health, and between the ages of 18 and 60.

“If somebody does decide to donate, their liver will regenerate and within a year they’ll have a normal life again,” Torres said.

Torres is unable to donate because she also has Alagille Syndrome, and so do other family members. Justice’s dad wasn’t a match either.

“I wanted to be her hero and I wasn’t able to, so that was one of the hardest things I had to deal with,” Danh shared.

With Justice’s health only getting worse over time, finding a donor is crucial.

“It would just be a big relief because she takes a lot of medications to help her right now. I just want her to have a life where she’s not in pain,” explained Torres.

The family has started a website to share more information about the process of applying to become a donor and what it requires. They are sharing their story on Instagram and Facebook in hopes of connecting with as many potential donors as possible.

They’re also fundraising to help pay for any travel expenses for their daughter’s future donor, along with other related expenses.

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