Fans of BBC’s EastEnders will know that the current storyline features a two-year old boy in hospital, having been diagnosed with autoimmune liver disease.
We’re delighted that the issue of childhood liver disease is being featured in a drama which attracts millions of viewers, as so many people do not realise that liver disease affects babies and young children. We at Children’s Liver Disease Foundation have provided the research team at EastEnders with information and guidance to ensure that this condition and its implications are portrayed as accurately as possible.
Further information on autoimmune liver disease can be found here.
The issue of living related donation has been raised in the story, something which many of our families have been through, including Harry’s who share their story here
Below are answers to some questions you may have about the storyline:
Q: I’m undergoing tests for living related assessment and it’s taking ages. Why is this making it look like it happens really quickly?
A: This is a serial drama and while we have been able to ensure that the medical facts are accurate, we do not have control of the timing of the storyline within the episodes. We took the decision to accept that TV drama often exaggerates real life for dramatic effect but feel that the benefit of national awareness of childhood liver disease outweighs this.
If you have any questions about your living related assessment, please speak with your transplant co-ordinator and they can answer them.
Q: Why don’t any of the episodes feature CLDF leaflets or website?
A: Unfortunately due to BBC rules we are not allowed any product placement, although we have supplied relevant literature to the scriptwriters.
Q: How can you be sure this subject will be treated seriously?
A: All scripts concerning this storyline have been checked by staff at Children’s Liver Disease Foundation including one of our trustees, hepatologist, Professor Richard Thompson, Kings College Hospital, London.
Q: I would like more information on being a living donor for a child. Who should I contact?
A: You will find more information at Donating a liver lobe to a child – NHS Organ Donation or you can call NHS Blood and Transplant on 0300 123 23 23 to seek further information. There is also a live liver donor programme for adults – further information is here: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/become-a-living-donor/donating-part-of-your-liver/
