Help us save his life
‼️ LONG POST, BUT PLEASE READ ‼️
Hello everyone, I’m reaching out on behalf of a loving mother who is now facing every parent’s worst fear — her baby boy, Martin Jaeren, has been diagnosed with a rare and serious liver condition called Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC). This condition causes bile to build up in the liver, leading to damage, and eventually, liver failure. The only cure: a liver transplant.
Their Story
Martin Jaeren was born on January 10, 2025, during the rainy season. At first, we thought his yellowish skin and eyes were just due to lack of sunlight. But as weeks passed, the jaundice didn’t go away. A concerned family noticed him during a family outing and advised us to seek a second opinion — and thank God we did.
In March, tests showed elevated bilirubin levels, and we were referred to a pedia-gastroenterologist. The initial diagnosis was Neonatal Hepatitis, and medications were prescribed. But further tests, more bloodwork, and lab results brought more questions than answers.
A turning point came when I met another mother whose baby had a similar condition. She told me about her child who underwent a procedure called Kasai, and would eventually need a liver transplant. It scared me, but it opened my eyes.
We continued to consult with specialists, traveling every 3 weeks to Manila for lab work and checkups. It broke my heart to see baby Martin cry every time they drew blood, especially when they had to prick his tiny foot repeatedly.
Eventually, his bilirubin levels, which were starting to improve, spiked again — worse than before. Doctors recommended a liver biopsy. The process was long, stressful, and physically painful for baby Martin. After some delays due to high protime levels and a post-biopsy fever, we were finally discharged.
On June 6, we received the biopsy results by email. It was confusing and terrifying. I couldn’t understand the medical terms, and my heart was pounding. I scheduled an urgent follow-up with his specialist.
June 12, 2025 — A Day That Changed Everything
That’s the day we heard the words that broke us:
“It’s PFIC. He needs a liver transplant.”
Doc explained that this condition is genetic, and though a genetic test could confirm it (costing around ₱30,000), it wouldn’t change the reality that a liver transplant is the only hope for baby Martin’s survival.
I was speechless. Everything went silent. I tried to hold back my tears, but when I stepped out of the clinic, I broke down in front of my family. We were all in shock.
Even now, it’s hard to believe. I wake up wishing it was a bad dream. But this is real. And we can’t face it alone.
We Need Your Help
We are knocking on your kind hearts for prayers, shares, and if possible, financial assistance.
The cost of a liver transplant is over ₱2 million, and we are arranging for it to be done at Apollo Hospital in India, known for its high success rates with Filipino babies.
Every peso, every prayer, every share makes a difference.
