Dana was born in December 1998. She was diagnosed with biliary atresia, polysplenia and a malrotated bowel at 9 weeks and had surgery (Kasai procedure). Dana progressively declined in health until at 5 months she developed severe ascites. Her father, Todd, was screened as a potential donor. At 6 months of age, Dana was airlifted to UCLA with difficulty breathing from the ascites. She was admitted to the hospital and stabilized. During her stay she developed a fever due to a liver infection. After her fever dropped, she was transplanted with a portion of Todd’s liver on June 14, 1999. Dana quickly recovered and was released from UCLA after 11 days.

Dana has been very healthy after her transplant. As of this writing, July 2003, she has been hospitalized once at a local hospital with a viral fever. She is a bundle of energy and can easily keep up with her older brothers, Erik and Kyle. Dana loves life and enjoys it through her play. Some of her favorite activities include her dance class, singing, playing outside, swimming, hugging her kitty, painting and coloring.