A New Liver for Aaliyah

Aaliyah has been through what many have not since a very young age of seven weeks. As a beautiful newborn, she was diagnosed with a rare and life threatening disease called Biliary Atresia. Biliary Atresia affects the liver and bile ducts in infants. With Biliary Atresia, bile becomes trapped, builds up, and damages the liver. The damage would then scar the liver cells eventually leading to liver failure. In order to keep her liver functioning for as long as possible while she patiently waited for a lifesaving transplant, Aaliyah quickly underwent a risky surgery.

Unfortunately, the procedure failed. Her doctors said that she would most likely not be able to survive past her first birthday without a lifesaving transplant. While waiting for that miraculous day and fighting liver failure, Aaliyah went through countless procedures and the majority of her days were spent in a hospital. This was never easy, neither for Aaliyah nor her friends and family.

On one fateful day, February 3rd, Aaliyah received the transplant she needed in order to live and thrive. Fortunately, she received it when she was 10 months old and as a result she was able to fully celebrate her first birthday with the help of one of our special Sugar Angels!

Aaliyah is now doing very well and will be looking forward to much more birthday celebrations! Her family says, “Thank you so much for the amazing cake, and for helping make her miracle birthday so special, we appreciate it so much!”

Aaliyah’s beautiful Minnie Mouse themed cake was made by Sugar Angel Ashley Wimmer with Cakes On A Whim in Minnesota. Thank you Ashley for all of your hard work and dedication to Icing Smiles and for providing Aaliyah with her 1st birthday cake. We look forward to seeing more “smiles” from you in the future!

Written by contributing Blogger Maggie Zhang.