Fundraiser To Help Baby With Rare Liver Disease

Published: Sep 6, 2007

RIVERVIEW - Robert Anselmo describes his 9-month-old daughter as "generally happy-go-lucky," but her future is uncertain.

When Savannah was 4 months old, tests showed she was among one in 15,000 babies born with a rare liver disease called biliary atresia. "They told us she was going to need a liver transplant, and then they sent us home with our baby," said her mother, Ana Anselmo. "We didn't have a clue what to do."

After a crash course in pediatric organ transplants, the couple decided the best hope for their daughter was a live tissue donation. Neither parent was a match, but they hope to find one soon. Meanwhile, although the Anselmos' health insurance covers transplant surgery, it does not cover Robert Anselmo's extended leaves from work, trips to a specialty hospital in Philadelphia, some of Savannah's medications and other expenses.

So the two have established a fund to help cover the costs. A fundraiser to bolster it is planned next week. The Brandon Elks Lodge has donated the use of the lodge at 800 Centennial Drive, off Brandon Boulevard, for a marathon scrapbooking event from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 15.

Called "The Miracle for Savannah Crop," the event will include classes, vendors selling scrapbook supplies, door prizes, pulled pork sandwiches donated by Smokey Bones in Brandon, stress relief by a massage therapist and goody bags.

Guests are asked to make a $40 donation in advance or $45 at the door. For information, go to miracle4savannah.com or write to Ana Anselmo at analiz0211@yahoo.com.

D'Ann Lawrence White