Many children point to their parents as their heroes.
That is particularly true for Bella Sindler, a 5-year-old girl from Hampstead, MD.
Bella's father, Steve, donated a portion of his liver to her soon after her first birthday. She was suffering liver failure after being diagnosed with biliary atresia at 2 months old. Biliary atresia is a rare disease that affects the bile ducts in the liver. She had surgery at 11 weeks old in hopes of preventing further liver damage, but the procedure was unsuccessful and she eventually needed a transplant less than a year later.
Steve then volunteered to be the living donor.
"I love him a lot," Bella said about her father.
Thanks to her father and the transplant team at John Hopkins Hospital, Bella is a healthy girl who loves dancing, singing, gymnastics and playing with her family and friends.
Bella will be on the field at M&T Bank Stadium this Sunday as the Living Legacy Tee Kid when the Ravens take on the Cincinnati Bengals. She's excited about her chance to take the field, but also somewhat nervous for the big crowd.
"There are so many people!" Bella said.
To save lives like Bella, register to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor at www.donatelifemaryland.org.
