3-year-old in dire need of liver donor
northcoastNOW
LORAIN — Behind the bright smile of 3-year-old Enrique Ramon Davila, his body is fighting a war that could use a little help.
Enrique was born with biliary atresia, also called neonatal hepatitis — a condition that causes a blockage in the tubes that carry bile from the liver to his gall bladder, resulting in an enlarged liver and jaundice.
He’s already had his name added to a long waiting list for a liver transplant at the Cleveland Clinic, and to help offset the costs he and his donor will incur, his family has planned a Hispanic Dinner Benefit on June 22.
“He needs a donor for a liver transplant, that’s the most important thing,” said his great-grandmother, Iris Davila. “He’s a very brave little boy — very sweet, very polite. He’s just waiting for somebody to help him.”
Anybody between the ages of 18 and 60 could be a donor for Enrique as long as their blood type is B-positive, O-negative or O-positive.
The proceeds from the benefit will help pay for the donor’s bills during recovery time, Davila said. She expects upwards of 300 attendees at the event but would like to see even more.
“We’ve already had so much help from so many people,” she said. “But the more that come out, the better.”
The $10 admission to the Hispanic dinner will include a meal of chicken, rice, beans, bread, non-alcoholic drinks and dessert. A $2 children’s menu is also available and includes a hot dog, potato chips and a drink.
Davila said Enrique may be small for his age, but he’s a content little boy who doesn’t let his condition get him down. He’s already accustomed to taking eight to 10 medications a day, she said, but he can’t stand the itching that’s a result of his condition.
“The doctors tell us that the sooner he gets the liver the better,” Davila said. “We go to the hospital all the time, but he doesn’t realize his condition can get worse. He just needs a little piece of a liver.”
If you are a pre-qualified match with Enrique and are interested in learning more about the donation process, contact the Cleveland Clinic Transplant Department Coordinator at (216) 445-7484.
In addition to the dinner, donations may be made at any Lorain National Bank branch to the Enrique Ramon Davila Fund.
BENEFIT DINNER
WHAT: Hispanic Dinner Benefit for Enrique Ramon Davila
WHEN: 2 to 6 p.m. June 22
WHERE: Puerto Rican Home, 1603 E. 28th Street, Lorain
TICKETS: Call (440) 277-7647 or 245-2132. Tickets are also available at Gonzalez Grocery, 2522 Lexington Ave., Lorain, and will be sold at the door.
Contact Stephen Szucs at 329-7129 or sszucs@chroniclet.com.
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Filed by northcoastNOW June 7th, 2008 in Local and State.
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