Alexandra was just 10 days old when she was diagnosed with ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, a rare disease that, in her case, could only be cured with a liver transplant. Doctors at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford worked closely with Alexandra’s family to help manage her condition until they were able to conduct her liver transplant surgery when Alexandra was 4. Since then, Alexandra has thrived.
Last year, during her quinceañera, or 15th birthday celebration, Alexandra held a fundraising event to support our hospital. In lieu of gifts on her special day, Alexandra asked friends and family to donate to our hospital’s social services fund.
Alexandra raised $2,255 to aid our social services team in their efforts to support families as their children receive care at our hospital. Social services utilizes donations like Alexandra’s to offer transportation aid and to purchase grocery and gas gift cards for patient families.
“Gifts from our generous donors like Alexandra help our families shift their focus from worrying about practical needs to helping their child heal,” shares Denise Alloway, LCSW, a clinical social worker who supports liver and intestinal transplant patients at our hospital.
“I’m inspired to give back to Packard Children’s because I was given so much more than I could ever imagine,” Alexandra says. “Someone was kind enough to give me my liver, without receiving anything in return. If it wasn’t for them, I would probably not be alive today.”
Today, Alexandra is a healthy, happy high school student. She loves spending time with her friends, playing with her two dogs (Kira and Murray), swimming, skiing, traveling, and singing.
“Alexandra is doing great—no words can truly express how well she is doing,” Alexandra’s father shares.
“Her health is strong and stable. She knows who she is, and she is comfortable with who she is,” her mother adds.
Thank you, Alexandra, for supporting our patients on your special day!
Do you have an idea for a fundraiser? Start your 2018 off right and become a Champion for Children.