SOUTHGATE — Marieli Reyes, 15, left her Puerto Rican homeland last summer so she could get a new liver and a new shot at a long, healthy life.

        Puerto Rican doctors do not perform liver transplants, and a new organ to properly filterthe blood's impurities and break down food is what Marieli desperately needs.

        She has cirrhosis, a chronic and ultimately fatal liver disease that is accompanied by internal bleeding, odd spots on her legs, and low hemoglobin counts indicating that oxygen isn't moving properly to her tissues.

        Three months in the States and the young teen remains on a national waiting list for a liver. The list numbered more than 16,000 earlier this month.

        Marieli attends Newport High School, where she carries a pager in case a donor is found. Doctors have not told the Reyes family how long she can go without a new liver. Yet the wait is aggravating Marieli's desire to be with her Puerto Rican friends and her constant struggles with the language.

        However, waiting for a new liver “is very important,” said Cookie Reyes, Marieli's mother, speaking through a translator. “That's why we're here.”

        The Diocese of Covington is easing the family's rough times. It took the Reyes under its wing soon after they arrived in August.

        Sister Juana Mendez, who works with the church's Hispanic community, and Donna Durham of Catholic Social Services have been their direct saviors. The women were greeted with warm embraces when recently visiting the Reyes clan.

        “We're like their family,” Ms. Durham said.

        She and Sister Juana have helped the family furnish their Barkley Ridge apartment, been with Marieli at her medical appointments, are trying to find the family a house, and plan to be with her if a liver donor is found and the girl undergoes transplant surgery.

        They have also started an account to helpwith medical expenses, which could total at least $75,000. The family's health insurance will cover about 80 percent, but the Reyeses don't know if they can finance the rest.

        Sister Juana met the Reyeses soon after they attended a Spanish-language service at Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington.

        “I just fell in love with the family. (Their story) just melted my heart,” said Sister Juana, a native Puerto Rican herself.

        Marieli was a tiny baby born with jaundice and undeveloped liver ducts. She stayed in the hospital for more than a year until doctors released her to go home and die.

        The child survived - year after year after year. The health problems, though, never went away.

        This year, Marieli's doctor said that a liver transplant was of vital importance. He referred her to Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, where he had interned and remained friends with one of its doctors.

        Sergio Reyes stopped doing construction. Cookie Reyes took a one-year leave of absence from her employer, a pharmaceutical company. Their children - Marieli, Sergio Jr., 20, and Emanuel, 10 - prepared to leave their friends.

        The family depleted their savings and, with donations from friends, family and neighbors, were able to move here.

        The young girl's brown eyes widen when asked about her medical problems. She doesn't know what to say.

        Her mother fills in the silence.

        “It's necessary for a better quality of life,” she said.

        On Nov. 10, 16,542 people were waiting for a liver transplant, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.

        In 1999, 4,699 people underwent liver transplants. Only 111 were for 11- to 17-year-old children.
       

TO HELP

               The Diocese of Covington has set up a benefit account in the name of Marieli Reyes at Fifth Third Bank. Donations can be made at any Greater Cincinnati branch.

        For more information, call Sister Juana Mendez, (859) 431-2060.

$50,000 gift for man who lost home
Hundreds attend tree lighting on Square
Ex-Cincinnatian may have been 119 at death
Medicaid strains Ohio's budget
Ohio can't explain AIDS jump
Corryville disturbance yields three arrests
Cincinnatian built career influencing Britain's schools
RAMSEY: Many help shape our children
Waiting helps save land
Downtown streets will be closed
Hope brings girl here
Artistic wares at CraftsAffair
Assistance available for heating bills
Bike path extended in Butler area
Bonuses for city leaders tabled
Breeding grounds for Dodger managers
Children's Hospital to join in national diabetes registry
Clermont to develop dam building
Clog dancers compete in N.Ky
McNUTT: Right touch needed for best cider
New Ft. Thomas school on target
Old Harrison area new again
Schools pushed to reduce dropouts
Kentucky Digest
Local Digest
Educators: Funding plan flawed
Living aid Alzheimer's study
Robbery called a fake