Tianna, who is from the northern Sydney suburb of Belrose, virtually lives at The Children's Hospital at Westmead or at the hospital's Bear Cottage in Manly.

Her mother Aleen Zilkifian said the four years since her daughter had been diagnosed with biliary atresia had been an extremely difficult time for the family and that many hours were spent travelling to and from the hospital every day.

``It's been very emotional seeing her go through it all, being in pain and with her health deteriorating,'' Mrs Zilifian said.

Tianna has not been able to take part in the full range of activities that most children of her age enjoy because her condition has caused her to have an enlarged spleen, which makes her extremely bloated and feeling lethargic.

Tianna is mostly confined to bed, where she spends a lot of time reading books and taking part in other more passive activities designed by the hospital's play therapy team.

Mrs Zilifian said Tianna was very positive about the future and knew that a liver transplant could help her achieve her dream of being a ballerina.

Mrs Zilifian had hoped she could donate part of her liver to Tianna, but it was not compatible, and Tianna has high priority status on the transplant waiting list.

Only a compatible donor liver can save Tianna's life and Mrs Zilifian urged people to talk with their family about organ donation.

``One organ donor can save up to 10 lives and one adult liver can be split into two with one half going to a child and the other to an adult, so that one liver can save two lives,'' she said.

For more information about organ donation or to register visit:

www.medicareaustralia.go v.au/public/services/aodr/registe r.jsp