WARREN, Ohio - With cases of severe hepatitis growing in our country, and around the world there is a growing need for organ donors for children who need a liver or kidney.

 

The CDC says in many cases the disease rapidly destroys the children's livers needed to filter toxins from the blood.

 

That's why a family who is thankful to a living donor is speaking out, asking people to step up.

 

Ten year old Jace was smiling. He is able to run, due to a gift of transplantation.

 

Two years ago doctors told his parent he had liver cancer and he needed a transplant to survive.

 

For his guardian mom that was devastating.

 

"I couldn't stop crying because it's heartbreaking, said Megan Clifford. 

 

Jace's grandmother posted on Facebook to broaden the odds of finding a donor.

 

"We are going to call it Jace's dream. It's going to be we fight for Jace," said Sharon Cook. 

 

Meanwhile relatives got tested.

 

Against the odds, the family tells us the person related through marriage only, not a blood relative, ended up being a match.

 

Catherine Hart who has a huge heart for kids volunteered without hesitation with her husbands support.

 

"He's a kid. He's 10. He deserves just a chance to live a normal life like anybody else, and if I have the organs and can give them to him, I'm going to," said Catherine Hart.

 

She tells me the need for living donors and donors for children waiting for a liver or kidney transplant has gone way up since November due a diseases in kids that damages or destroys their liver.

 

The family says you can give the gift of life and be part of someone else's health journey by becoming an organ donor.

 

"It's everything. I couldn't thank her enough for what she's done for him," said his mom and guardian, Megan Clifford.

 

"I was back normal in six or seven days. I was in the hospital for four," added Hart.

 

She points our your liver grows back and added people only need one functioning kidney.

 

Jace who is still being cautious, is excited to do things other kids do.

 

He tells 21 News he can't wait to ride a bike and gave us a thumbs up!