Liver transplant vital for mother of three

Press, 11 June 1987, Page 38

Liver transplant vital for mother of three

PA . Wellington A bout of hepatitis 14 years ago has turned each passing week into a matter of life or death for Mrs Judith McDermott, of Paraparaumu, the “Evening Post” newspaper reports. Mrs McDermott’s friends and family are trying to raise $160,000 to enable her to have a lifesaving liver transplant in either Brisbane or London.

Without the transplant, Mrs McDermott, aged 38, could die from liver failure at any time, her specialist has said.

The mother of three sons aged 12, 14 and 15, Mrs McDermott was told three weeks ago she could either do nothing, and risk liver failure or have a transplant.

She and her taxi ownerdriver husband, Dean, considered selling their hbme to raise money, but decided such a move would be impractical with three young children and the need for rest after the operation.

Mrs McDermott’s specialist, is still negotiating the operation with the medical team likely to perform it. If the transplant is done in England, it will y. cost at least $160,000, and in Australia, about $llO,OOO.

The costs do not include travel and accommodation expenses. • ' :

Mrs McDermott has not yet been accepted for the operation, but says she has been told there is a "minimal” chance she will be turned down by the overseas hospitals. Only four other New

Zealanders have undergone liver transplants. An Aucklander, Gary Hurley, aged 33, returned to New Zealand in April after receiving a new liver at Kings College Hospital, England, in December last year. Tracey Homes, aged 11, of Otautau, had two liver transplants at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, England, last year. . Angela Day, aged 23, of Carterton was given a new liver at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and an anonymous New Zealand woman in her 30s had a similar operation costing $300,000 at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota last year.

A New Zealander, Rosie Jones, died in England before she could have a transplant.