At the end of last month Erica Salome, from Falmouth, celebrated a milestone birthday. She turned 21 although 11 weeks into her life, Erica had a life saving operation after the diagnosis of a rare liver disease. Years later, when aged eleven, a transplant gave Erica a new lease on life.

Now Erica, who went to school in Falmouth and Mawnan Smith, is sharing her story to raise awareness of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, a leading organisation dedicated to fighting all liver diseases of childhood, which supported her family in their time of need.

Erica’s mum, Anne said: “Erica wasn’t putting on weight and was jaundiced. It turned out to be more than baby jaundice.”

After exhaustive testing and hospital trips Erica was diagnosed with biliary atresia, her bile ducts were malformed and bile was returning to the liver, causing severe liver damage.

After vital surgery, Erica’s outlook changed for the better.

Anne said: “From that time, her health improved greatly and she enjoyed a normal, healthy childhood punctuated by frequent visits to King’s College Hospital in London for the inevitable check ups. It wasn’t until aged ten we began to notice Erica would become very short of breath. I remember that when her oxygen levels were tested, the doctors thought the machine she was tested with was malfunctioning.”

Erica was diagnosed with hepatopulmonary syndrome, the exchange of oxygen in her body was not efficient.

“Out of the blue Erica was put on the waiting list for a new liver and after ten months we got the call. I remember Erica being really excited that it was finally happening,” said her mother.

“CLDF gave information and support at a difficult time. Even though it’s been such a long time we want to raise the awareness that liver disease occurs in children and that CLDF are there to help.”

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of CLDF, said: “It’s great to hear how well Erica is doing and reaching this important milestone. Erica’s family are stalwart supporters of CLDF and two close relatives battled the streets in the London Marathon this year to raise funds.”

Erica is now studying at Roehampton University on her way to becoming a teacher and works at Twickenham stoop, home to Harlequins rugby team.

Erica said: “Since my transplant it hasn’t affected my life at all, I’m just normal. The advice I would give others is to keep positive through it all, I am lucky and have always had fantastic support from my family and friends.”