'It was the best news we've gotten in a year:' One-year-old to receive life-saving transplant

SHEBOYGAN FALLS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A one-year-old in need of a liver transplant will soon be getting one. 

"We knew when he was about two days old that something was wrong," said Alex Aguirre's mom, Jenna. 

Tests revealed Alex had a condition called biliary atresia. 

"His bile ducts are blocked off by like scar tissue, so bile can't flow through the liver so then, the bile just kind of builds up in the liver and causes cirrhosis and just a lot of issues," said Jenna Aguirre, "When he was listed for transplant, he had officially gone into liver failure."

The transplant team at Children's Wisconsin recommended a liver transplant. 

"I saw that everything they were looking for, I fit into it, so I just signed up right away, I didn't think twice about it really," said Shelby Leonard. 

Leonard was a match. She was no stranger to the Aguirre family. She was the maid-of-honor in the Aguirre's wedding. 

"I think it's amazing how everything works and how certain people match up and it just happened to be me," said Leonard. 

"We are just very, very thankful that Shelby stepped up," said Alex's dad, Louie Aguirre, "We are very, very thankful and tearful every time we talk about this."

Alex's family has asked for help from the Children's Organ Transplant Association. All of the funds raised help with transplant-related expenses. 

Contributions may be sent to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, 2501 West COTA Drive, Bloomington, Indiana, 47403. Checks should be made payable to COTA, with “In Honor of Team Alex A” written on the memo line. Secure credit card gifts are accepted online at www.COTAforTeamAlexA.com.