Desert Hot Springs girl needs liver transplant

A Desert Hot Springs family is looking for a hero for their little girl Esmeralda.

Two-year-old Esmeralda Lizarraga was born with biliary atresia, a disease that destroys liver cells and causes cirrhosis or scarring of the liver.

She underwent a liver transplant from a live donor when she was 17 days old, but the liver is now failing and she needs another transplant as soon as possible.

“The clock is definitely ticking,” said family friend Tasha Payne. “I mean there has been lots of really close scares, bleeding internally, and nothing to take lightly. She’s actually been coughing up blood, I mean it’s not good.”

The donor process can take months before doctors know for sure if a healthy match has been made. Anyone with blood type O-positive or O-negative may be able to help Esmeralda.

Saturday at 3 p.m. a dance event that’s being called Hero4Esmeralda is scheduled at the Dance Program located at 68727 Hwy 111 in Cathedral City.

While a $15 donation is recommended to help the family with medical costs, the main purpose of the get together is to help find potential donors who may be a match for Esmeralda..

For more information call 760-641-2662.