Baby Daniel Comes Home

In an emotional scene at the Tropic Air terminal in San Pedro, family and friends of Ilda, Daniel and Baby Daniel gathered to welcome home a smiling, healthier Baby Daniel Estell Jr. The family was scheduled to arrive Saturday December 18, 2010, but a delay in flight left them stranded overnight in El Salvador. They made it in at 11:00am on Sunday instead, and the welcoming committee was most ecstatic.

After several months of waiting (in the USA) and finally getting a chance at survival in Colombia, SA, Baby Daniel has been through the worst, and can now be closer to everyone at home.

Baby Daniel was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia - a rare liver disorder - that required major surgery and transplants. With his parents by his side, and father Daniel Sr. a match for the liver he needed, both Daniels underwent a successful surgery and the byproduct is a smiling, bouncing and happy baby boy who underwent a most miraculous transformation.

Welcome home Baby Daniel!!

Baby Daniel Halloween Bazaar Fundraiser

Funds are still being raised for the further care of Baby Daniel Estell, and on Friday, October 30, the fundraising committee held a Halloween Bazaar for both children and adults. The children enjoyed dressing up and playing games of tombola, ring toss and more.

Judges were on hand to give prizes to the best costumes of the night, but in truth, all the children were winners.

After the children's party, a "grown-up" bazaar followed.

Positive news on Baby Daniel Estell Jr.

Thanks to the support and love of everyone who kept Baby Daniel in their minds and hearts, his surgery was successful. Surrounded by immediate family, both Daniel Estell Sr. and Jr. underwent surgeries (at different times) in Colombia on Wednesday, August 18th. Calls placed by friends from San Pedro have been met with positive news. Mel Spain, Baby Daniel’s grandmother told a friend that “baby is doing great, and that all his tests are coming back with positive results. While his Bilirubin was high, it has come back down, meaning his liver is functioning. Big Daniel is also doing well, but still is in pain.” Mom Ilda thanks everyone and can’t wait to come home with Baby Daniel.

SUCCESS!! Baby Daniel will receive treatment...

The following is a letter sent to members of the Save Daniel Facebook page regarding the status of Baby Daniel Estell Jr. The San Pedro Sun is proud of all who helped raise funds for this much loved baby, who will have a life ahead of him thanks to all the support and love that people have shown in the past few weeks.

"Within the next 24-hours, Baby Daniel will be flown to Colombia where his life-saving procedure will be performed!!!

It is DIRECTLY because of the collective effort of every single person in this group, and the effort of all of the others who are not a part of this group that have worked so tirelessly to raise the funds needed for Daniel’s transplant.

The people of Belize pounding the pavement to collect money, the news organizations spreading the word, holding and supporting fundraisers, people tweeting and face-booking and talking about Daniel to everyone we met, soliciting donations, finding connections, following up on leads . . . all of this has paid off!

Baby Daniel is going to live a happy, healthy life!

YOU were a part of making that happen, and we will be eternally grateful.

Funds will still need to be raised for the follow-up care, but we’ve cleared the first hurdle!

Please take a moment to celebrate yourself, and our magnificent accomplishment! A million thanks.

With much love,

Daniel, Ilda, Daniela, Delores, Melissa, Leigh, and Marissa"

Community joins to Save Baby Daniel

The residents of San Pedro were out in droves at Central Park this Sunday for the beach party fundraiser to Save Baby Daniel. A food and drink sale was organized by friends of Baby Daniel's parents (Ilda and Daniel). There were raffles, games, a dollar drive, plus volleyball games and even auctions.

Though the weather threatened rain with dark skies and some strong winds, it held off, making for a very successful day on the beach. Everyone came together to celebrate the life of a little one, hoping against hope that he will be able to get his much needed liver transplant.

Baby Daniel Estell is currently at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, as he suffers from a rare liver disease known as Biliary Atresia, wherein there is a blockage in the tubes (ducts) that carry a liquid called bile from the liver to the gallbladder. The congenital condition has only 2 treatments for this disease. He has already undergone the ‘Kasai Procedure’, and unfortunately, he will need the second option, which is a liver transplant. At the beginning of the fundraisers, Baby Daniel had time on his side, but that time is quickly waning. The full amount needed to complete this procedure is $300,000 USD.

The girls gang up for the dollar auction...each dollar tops the last bid. Some people won cell phones for as little as a dollar, and there were tons of other prizes donated by the business community.

The good news about this disease is that it can be treated and most babies treated in time become healthy.

It is certainly hope and prayers and lots of love that are keeping up the spirits of Baby Daniel's loved ones, as he battles for his life.

Let's help save a life - Baby Daniel's

Help Save Baby Daniel

Daniel Estell is a 7 month old boy who is in desperate need of a liver transplant. Born in Belize Daniel is now at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. It is the hope that sufficient funds can be raised to make this life saving transplant possible.

To find out how to help, CLICK HERE

Baby Daniel suffers from a rare liver disease ‘Biliary Atresia’. Biliary atresia is a blockage in the tubes (ducts) that carry a liquid called bile from the liver to the gallbladder. The condition is congenital, which means it is present from birth. The only 2 treatments for this disease are the ‘Kasai Procedure’ which baby Daniel has gone through already and secondly a liver transplant, which baby Daniel is in dire need in this present time.

Nobody really knows what is the actual cause for Biliary Atresia the only thing we know is it can be treated. The encouraging news is that most of the babies who are treated in time grow up and live normal lives.

Presently in Los Angles, California, baby Daniel is being treated at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. He is in a stable condition but just for a short period of time, due to his chronic and progressive liver disease. He will need a liver transplant within the next few months. Time is very critical in his life.