THE worried parents of a critically ill two-year-old girl today spoke out in support of National Transplant Week as their daughter waited for a vital heart-swop operation.

Little Teri Baron, who lives with mum Melanie in Leyburn Road, Blackburn, was admitted to Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital in June and will remain there until a suitable heart is found.

Her parents Melanie Riley and Mark Baron are keeping a permanent vigil by their daughter's bedside.

The family will have just five hours to arrange for Teri to get to hospital in Newcastle when a heart becomes available.

Mark, 24, of Fowlerheight Close, Blackburn, said: "It is very hard for us because we have had to put our lives on hold.

"A heart could be found at any moment and it will be a race against time to get Teri to Newcastle for the operation.

"We just want people to know what this is like and what this week's National Transplant Week is about. If more people become donors then more people will get better." Teri has been in and out of hospital since she was born without a right ventricle or a main artery as well as two holes in her heart.

She has already undergone open heart surgery three times but was placed on the active transplant list because she is too week to undergo a fourth operation.

Melanie, 19, went on: "She is a happy, bright little girl but has never been able to walk because of her condition.

"She likes all the things that normal two-year-olds like but can not have a better quality of life without the transplant."

The couple are being supported by family and friends who regularly travel to the hospital for visits.

Mark went on: "The doctors can keep her heart strong for months with medication, but we would obviously prefer Teri to have the operation sooner rather than later.

"She is blood group A, which means she is very compatible, so we are hoping a heart will become available soon.

"Teri is a very clever little girl, very talkative and full of life but she has not developed physically because of her condition.

"She gets on really well with the nurses here who are absolutely brilliant. She's doing all right, but won't get better unless a donor is found.

"That is why this week is so important. Everyone must know the difference they can make."

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