11-year-old Fraser Rise girl Chloe Gatti born with rare twisted bowel condition hopes to get successful transplant surgery

An 11-year-old girl from Melbourne’s west who was born with a rare twisted bowel condition hopes to get a second bowel transplant after her body rejected the first.

Chloe Gatti, 11, needs a second bowel transplant. Picture: Supplied

An 11-year-old Melbourne girl is hoping to receive a second transplant to cure her rare bowel condition, after the first procedure was unsuccessful.

Chloe Gatti, from Fraser Rise on Melbourne’s western fringe, was born with a twisted bowel that caused her internal organs to be placed outside her body.

To support Chloe through her journey at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Mum Joanne Apap, 46, has been working in aged care administration to help cover the medical bills.

Granddad Francis Apap said Chloe was a “very active” child.

“She’s a courageous kid — she’s also a fighter, that’s what’s keeping her going,” Mr Apap said.

Chloe Gatti was born with a twisted bowel that caused her internal organs to be placed outside her body. Picture: Supplied

“She grew up with us because her father passed away when she was little.”

Joanne’s close friend and neighbour Chantelle Jansen said Chloe was a very “resilient” and “tough” young kid who was “very arty” and “creative”.

“She’s very, very good at is baking,” the 35-year-old said.

“And the sad thing is — the poor kid — she loves to bake cupcakes and all that kind of stuff, but she can’t eat any of it with her condition.”

Ms Jansen said the most challenging part for Chloe was her first transplant two years ago.

Chloe and her grandfather Francis Apap. Picture: Supplied

“Which was great — the family were really happy they finally got a donor,” she said.

“And unfortunately, what actually happened was Chloe spent six months in the hospital after this transplant with a lot of complications and in the end this poor kid was opened up about six or seven times and they had rejection from the transplant.

“So it’s gone back to square one now where she’s back on another waiting list.”

Ms Jansen said Chloe had been in and out of the hospital quite often and her only other option was to get another full bowel transplant.

“And financially it’s a strain on mum (Joanne) because she’s paying for parking driving up and down to the children’s hospital,” she said.

Chloe with her brother Liam and Mum Joanne Apap. Picture: Supplied

“Honestly, she’s one strong mum — I don’t know how she does it — she just looks so tired and trained at the moment.”

Ms Jansen said Joanne was “almost like the sister she never had”.

“She takes in my kids like they’re her own as well — as a mum, the way she is, the way she has faced all these challenges is just unbelievable,” she said.

Ms Jansen’s cousin Georgia Flajnik has created a GoFundMe page to help Chloe’s family with the financial costs they are faced with.

“Chloe’s mother spends a lot of time at the Royal Children’s Hospital with her, and managing care for both Chloe and her son (Liam) often requires her to take time off work, sometimes without pay,” Ms Flajnik said.