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TUCSON - It's a 1st in our state, performed right here at the University Medical Center. We're talking about adult-to-pediatric living donor liver transplant. A 26-year-old mother donated part of her liver to her 1-year-old daughter. It's a big step forward for pediatric care in Southern Arizona.

When Vanessa Negrete's daughter Aliyah was just 2 ½ months old, she was diagnosed with a rare liver condition. A liver transplant was the only way she could survive. Doctors were having a difficulty finding a deceased donor, so they began looking at the possibility of a live donor. After checking several family members, Mom turned out to be a perfect match. They performed surgery on March 20th and it was a huge success.

"I always prayed to God, I wanted it to be me. It just changes your life," said Negrete.

Doctors at UMC say this sets a precedent for the care of children with liver conditions here in Southern Arizona.