At 3 months of age Gabe was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia, a rare disease that attacks the liver.

For the first 2 months of Gabe's life he had mild jaundice and had trouble gaining weight (even though he ate all the time). At his 2 month appointment the doctor thought he was doing better and did not want to see him for one month. We were not comfortable with this and called our cousin Ed who was in medical school and shared our concerns.  He knew exactly what was wrong and told us to go get a simple blood test.

The next day the blood test revealed that there was something wrong with Gabe's liver. The next three days he was poked and proded until a final diagnosis could be made and we were told that Gabe needed life saving surgery immediately.

As the surgeon took our only child at the time and carried him through those big, metal doors to the operating room, we held each other not knowing if we would see Gabe again.

The surgery was very successful and we hoped Gabe would not need a transplant until he was a teenager. But unfortunately that was not in the cards. Gabe's disease progressed VERY quickly and 5 months later he had to be listed for a transplant. We did not think Gabe would live to receive a cadaver liver (avg. 8 month wait) so we opted for living related. My husband and I had Angiograms, blood work and catscans to see who's piece of liver would fit Gabe the best. Mine was a little smaller, so it was chosen.....

The transplant went GREAT...and Gabe is doing awsome....He has been volunteering with the local organ procurement agency since he was 3 years old, helping to raise awareness of organ donation.  Gabe is very excited about competing in his 4th transplant games.

It is a wonderful experience for him to look around and see so many kids who are just like him.

We appreciate anything you can do to help Gabe and Team Florida have an amazing fundraising campaign.

For more information about the Transplant Games in Pittsburgh visit www.transplantgames.org