By Aldrich Tan/Staff writerToddler needs liver transplant
Donations sought to pay for procedure
By Aldrich Tan/Staff writer
July 7, 2005
Rachelle McCowan is waiting for a call that could save her son's life.
Twenty-month-old Colin McCowan needs a liver transplant. Doctors at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital in Palo Alto say his liver will fail within six months.
If the hospital can't find a liver for a transplant, Rachelle McCowan, 28, says she will donate part of her liver.
"I've got to do what I can to save my child," she said.
When Colin was 2 months old, the McCowans noticed that he had yellowish skin.
A liver biopsy revealed that he has Alagille syndrome, a genetic mutation comprised of liver disease, heart disease and other abnormalities, said Dr. Roberto Gugig, pediatric gastroenterologist at the Valley Children's Hospital in Fresno.
On Oct. 1, Colin underwent open heart surgery to repair abnormal pulmonary veins.
He has a high cholesterol level of 1,800. An average child's cholesterol level is 150, said Gugig. Colin is taking assorted cholesterol medications.
Gugig adds that people with Alagille syndrome do not have enough ducts to transport bile from the liver to the intestines so the bile accumulates in the liver and becomes toxic.
The condition causes Colin's skin, eyes, tongue and mouth to turn yellow, and little bumps appear all over his body.
"He knows that there is something wrong with him because he's itchy all the time," his mother said.
Gugig said liver-transplant surgery can cost between $200,000 to $300,000. In addition, he said, Rachelle McCowan and her husband, Derek, will also have to take some time off from work to be with their child. Rachelle is a real estate agent for Spano Properties. Derek owns Classic Pool Service, a local pool cleaning and repair company.
Neighbors and relatives are doing what they can to help.
Colin's uncle Phillip Eslick is the new owner of the Baskin Robbins on Demaree Street and Walnut Avenue. In June, he raised $2,000 in donations for Colin's medical expenses through ice cream sales and a large donation jar at the store.
"I've seen people put in five dollar bills into that jar," said cake decorator Karen Horner at Baskin Robbins.
A separate fund-raiser at the Jammin Java coffee shop on East Noble Avenue raised $500, according to owner Lynn Coppola.
Neighbors at Cobblestone Estates at Linwood Street and Ferguson Avenue are also raising money. At a March of Dimes motorcycle ride last month, Doug and Tonya Stewart set up a donation booth for Colin and took in $1,100. Gloria Reed sold candles and raised $350 while her sister-in-law Kristy Reed sold baskets worth $450.
Future fund-raisers are in the works, Tulare Honda is raising money for Colin by raffling a motorcycle on Sept. 17, according to general manager Todd Lewis. Tickets will go on sale this week.
On Saturday, Colin's neighbors Lettie Gilligan and Elena Wilson are organizing a large fund-raising event for Colin at the Visalia United Methodist Church on Akers Street and Caldwell Avenue. The event will consist of a bake sale, rummage sale, face painting and car wash.
"We're doing everything that we can to help Colin," Wilson said, "because we are parents, too."
The reporter can be reached at atan@visalia. gannett.com.
How to help
What: Fund-raiser for Colin McCowan - bake sale, rummage sale, face painting and car wash
When: Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Visalia United Methodist Church, Akers Street and Caldwell Avenue
Information: 308-2164
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