Toddler Charlize Gravina blossoms thanks to lifesaving liver transplant

CHARLIZE Gravina is blossoming thanks to a lifesaving liver transplant. But the operation was a gut-wrenching decision for her parents after her twin Isaac died of complications from his liver transplant.

• Mum Julie Gravina’s liver transplant wish to help twins Isaac and Charlize lead a normal life
• Charlize’s Metabolic Fundraiser to help sick children in memory of twin Isaac
• Family raises $49,000 through Charlize’s Metabolic Fundraiser

TODDLER Charlize Gravina is blossoming, running fast, riding her scooter and getting stronger every day and it’s all thanks to a lifesaving liver transplant.

The Theresa Park 2 ½ year old, who was born with a rare metabolic disorder, has passed the most crucial stage since her operation, is now able to eat protein, jump on a trampoline and she happily enjoys talking to everyone she meets.

Parents Julie and Paul are delighted at Charlize’s progress and development since the transplant a few months ago.

However the decision to have the operation was gut-wrenching because Charlize’s twin Isaac died in January this year following complications from his liver transplant.

Charlize’s twin brother Isaac Gravina died at age 21 months on January 23 following complications from his liver transplant.

The twins were born with the rare metabolic disorder Propionic Acidemia which affects one in 250,000 births in NSW.

Sufferers are unable to break down protein properly and this causes acids and harmful substances to build up in their bodies, affecting the brain and every organ.

Charlize Gravina (front) pictured with dad Paul, sister Amelia and mum Julie. Picture: Angelo Velardo

Since the liver transplant, Charlize is able to ride a scooter, run and enjoy all the other things other toddlers like to do.

There is no cure for the disease but a liver transplant can give people the chance to lead a normal life.

“Our little girl did it! She received her life changing liver transplant and she is thriving,’’ Mrs Gravina said.

“Charlize has blossomed since the transplant. Her vocabulary has gone from two words to non-stop talking. She will start a conversation with anyone.

“She can count to 10. She was never able to count before and she knows her colours and shapes now. She’s catching up quickly.’’

Mrs Gravina said she wanted to give Charlize the chance to have a normal life by having the transplant and she believed it was only a matter of time before researchers were able to find a cure for the disease.

“Gene therapy is the cure,’’ she said.

Isaac and Charlize Gravina, then aged 15-months, pictured at home last year.

Mrs Gravina said since her transplant, Charlize is able to eat protein, her core strength has improved and she also loves playing with her big sister Amelia, 5.

“I’ve got to say it wasn’t easy handing our Charlize over to have her liver transplant, knowing all the complications that may arise,’’ she said.

“Complications, as rare as they are, ultimately took our beautiful and precious son Isaac.

“And as scared as we were, we needed to go through with Charlize’s transplant to give her the chance of living a more normal life. It has to be done before her rare disease took that chance away from her.’’

Charlize Charlize Gravina having fun at home with mum Julie and big sister Amelia.

Charlize enjoys playing on a gate at home.

Mrs Gravina said seeing Charlize in hospital and hooked up to more machines, lines and drains than she cared to remember was so hard.

“Going back to ICU and walking past the room where Isaac last laid so many times a day was just torture, but we did it,’’ she said.

Supporters join members of the Gravina family who raised more than $49,000 for The Children's Hospital, at Westmead to fund research into genetic diseases. The tally now stands at $60,000.

A week after the transplant, Charlize acquired a virus that attacked her liver but she fought back, recovered and Mrs Gravina said her daughter returned to her feisty old self the next week.

The family remains grateful to the donor family who gave the most generous gift so Charlize could have the transplant operation.

“No day goes by that I don’t think about that family and I’m so grateful that in their time of grief they made the difficult decision to give a most generous gift to another family,’’ she said.

The family are also raising funds to help scientists at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead find a cure to help Charlize and other youngsters.

The Go Fund Me campaign called Charlize’s Metabolic Fundraiser has now raised $60,000 for researchers at the hospital.

Mrs Gravina, a registered organ donor herself, supports the DonateLife campaign and is encouraging people to join the Australian Organ Donor Register online.

She has also started the Facebook page Isaac & Charlize’s Journey with Propionic Acidemia and Liver Transplant to raise awareness about the family’s journey.