A Christmas miracle: Alynna’s liver transplant story

Alynna loves to sing and dance. She enjoys playing doctor and making people laugh. At just 6 years old, she’s full of energy and personality. But in late 2024, Alynna and her family faced something no parent expects — a rare and serious cancer diagnosis. 

Only about 10 children in the United States are diagnosed with embryonal sarcoma of the liver each year. Alynna was one of them. Thanks to the care she received from Texas Children’s Hospital Liver Transplant Program and the gift of organ donation, she’s now on the road to recovery. 

When something wasn’t right 

Alynna’s symptoms began about a month before her fifth birthday. At first, the signs were subtle. She had a fever and lost her appetite. Because she had always been a picky eater, it didn’t seem unusual at first. Doctors initially thought it might be a virus. 

But about 10 days later, things changed. Alynna’s belly became swollen. Her skin started to look yellow. The veins on her back were more visible, and she was constantly tired and uncomfortable. Blood tests showed elevated liver enzymes. Soon after, a sonogram revealed a mass on her liver. 

“When they said ‘mass,’ I knew right away it was cancer,” her mom, Ana, recalled. 

Alynna was referred to Texas Children’s, where doctors confirmed she had embryonal sarcoma of the liver, a rare and aggressive tumor. 

A plan that changed 

The initial treatment plan was two rounds of chemotherapy followed by surgery to remove the tumor. But things didn’t go as expected. 

Alynna was hospitalized from late September through mid-December, including time in the ICU after developing a blood clot. During treatment, doctors discovered the tumor had continued to grow despite chemotherapy. The team decided to change course. 

Instead of continuing chemotherapy, which was also causing complications, Alynna was placed on the liver transplant list in early November. 

Around Thanksgiving, the family received a call that a liver might be available. But the match ultimately fell through. Alynna was discharged in mid-December to wait for another opportunity. 

At an appointment on Dec. 24, her physician encouraged the family to consider living donors but also reminded them not to give up. 

“Don’t lose hope,” he told them. “Maybe you’ll get a Christmas miracle.” 

A call on Christmas day 

The miracle came sooner than anyone expected. Around 6 p.m. on Christmas day, the phone rang. 

“How fast can you get here?” the transplant team asked. 

Within an hour, Alynna and her family were on their way to Texas Children’s. On Dec. 27, she received her new liver. Her mom says the support they received from the Texas Children’s team made an incredible difference. 

“I can’t express how helpful they’ve been,” Ana said. “They made us feel like we were their only patients. We were truly blessed to be taken care of at Texas Children’s.” 

An unbreakable bond 

During her time in the hospital, Alynna met someone very special. Kayleen, a teenager from New Jersey, had the same rare diagnosis as Alynna. She was also being treated at Texas Children’s, awaiting a liver transplant. 

The two quickly formed a bond. Alynna looks up to Kayleen like a big sister, admiring her bravery. Kayleen is inspired by Alynna’s joy and playful spirit. 

Even after leaving the hospital having both received their liver transplant, they stay connected. Every 2 weeks, they FaceTime to catch up. 

“They went through it together,” Ana said. “The fact that their cancer is so rare but they were at the same place at the same time … they were meant to meet.”  

Strength and gratitude 

Even now, Ana is still in awe of her daughter’s incredible strength throughout the journey. 

“I’m very proud she never gave up,” she said. “When we were low, she gave us strength. It taught us a lot.” 

The experience also changed the way the family thinks about organ donation. Both of Alynna’s parents have now registered to become organ donors. 

For Alynna, life is returning to the things she loves most — singing, dancing and pretending to be a doctor. And thanks to a generous donor, she has the chance to keep doing all of it. 

An organ donor can save up to eight lives. To learn more and become a donor, visit Donate Life Texas or Life Gift.  

Or, learn more about pediatric liver transplant at Texas Children’s.