Born on April 14, 2010, Cooper was a welcome addition to the Hanks’ family. When Cooper was just one day old, his parents, Josh and Kristen were told his bilirubin numbers were high and the doctors weren’t sure why.  Not understanding what all of this meant they were understandably heartbroken and shocked when their newborn baby was taken to the NICU for the next 24 hours.  He was given medication to help open his bile ducts and was then released from the hospital with no answers.  After two long months of tests and still no change in Cooper’s labs, he underwent major surgery which confirmed that he had a rare form of liver disease called Biliary Atresia. During the surgery doctors performed the Kasai procedure, a surgery where doctors use a piece of the baby’s own intestine to allow his bile to flow. The procedure is 80% successful when completed by two months of age.

Cooper was able to remain relatively healthy over the next year, although his liver function tests were never normal.   In August of 2011, Cooper became very ill and was hospitalized for a high fever and a lethal infection in his liver.  It was then determined that he was in need of a liver transplant.  Cooper was put on the transplant list on a Thursday afternoon and a match was found just hours later that day!  The very next day Cooper received his new liver.  It was a true miracle!  With the strength and support of his family this little boy has undergone two major surgeries before the age of two!  His parents are grateful and faithful that because of his new liver, Cooper won't need to see another operating room.  It has been just over one year that Cooper had his transplant.  He is a beautiful, happy and healthy little boy who loves playing outside, watching Mickey Mouse, and especially his family!

Since 2011, the Hanks' Family has been joining the American Liver Foundation as “Team Cooper” at the Liver Life Walk. Although being a brand new team in 2011 Team Cooper raised over $8,000 making it the number one walk team for the Liver Life Walk Houston and they repeated that top honor raising an outstanding $16,450 in 2012.  Monies raised through the walk help to make critical research on diseases like Biliary Atresia possible.

To join Cooper, his family and many others just like them register for the Liver Life Walk today!