Piper Genevieve Walnicki was born (2/5/07) with a rare and incurable liver disease known as Biliary Atresia.  As early as the second day of her life doctors at Mercy Hospital in South Buffalo were suspicious of something being seriously wrong with her liver.  After extensive tests Biliary Atresia became the most probable diagnosis.  At only one month of age (3/6/07) this diagnosis was confirmed and Piper underwent the Kasai Procedure at Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.  This procedure is not a cure but rather a temporary fix to re-establish bile flow.  The hope is that the Kasai works long enough for the child to grow as old as possible so that he/she is bigger and stronger to undergo the necessary liver transplant operation.  Piper’s Kasai initially worked wonderfully, but then failed within only three months.  Since 6/20/07 doctors at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, a leading center in pediatric transplantation, have seen Piper.  They recommended and performed a Re-Kasai in attempt to again re-establish bile flow, but the operation was unsuccessful.  After much evaluation and with no further options except a liver transplant to save her life, Piper was officially listed with UNOS  (United Network of Organ Sharing) on 11/2/07.

Throughout her long ten months dealing with this liver disease, Piper has remained a strong and resilient little girl.  She enjoys listening to her daddy play his viola or guitar, and she absolutely loves being outdoors going for walks to the creek or simply staring up at the trees.  She has been a stalwart traveler, making the 6.5-hour drive back and forth to Cincinnati with little to no fussing.  And she has a smile that would melt the hearts of the grumpiest of men.