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Ed Yeates ReportingA nine-month old West Valley girl is now the 100th recipient of a liver transplant at Primary Children's Hospital. The landmark event was an emotional experience for the girl's parents.
A vascular tumor inside young Aislynn Collin's liver would have snuffed out her life, had it not been for a long track record of successful liver transplants at Primary Children's Hospital.
Linda Book, M.D., Medical Director, Liver Transplant Program: "We're celebrating the 100th one today, but the overall survival of our 100 transplants is over 90 percent over the ten years."
Two weeks ago, Nathon Collins donated a portion of his liver for the transplant. What he gave up will grow back again. For Aislynn, the segment, 25 to 30 percent of her dad's liver, is just the right size.
John Sorensen, M.D., Surgical Director, Liver Transplant Program: "It turns out to be pretty close to the normal volume of liver a child would have at that age."
Nathon Collin: "It's life or death, simple as that."
For Nathon and Shante, this 100 year mark for Primary will certainly end up in their daughter's scrapbook. But then so will her Dad, who was the living donor who helped save her life.
Nathan Collins: "But knowing she has part of your organ to help her live, that's a good feeling."
Even though it's a Salt Lake City based hospital here, Primary Children's serves a large area and is now among the top 25 in the country in both volume of liver transplants and long term survival rates.
After only two weeks following her transplant, Aislynn went home this afternoon.
