THEY were told there was nothing that could be done to save their little girl after she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
So Paul and Kate Warner decided to make the most of the time daughter Lydia had left.
Fast forward two years and Lydia, now seven, has overcome cancer of the pancreas, thanks to surgeons at Birmingham Children's Hospital and her mum Kate, who donated part of her liver to her daughter.
Kate said: "When I knew I was a match and could help Lydia, I didn't hesitate.
"As a mum, you would do anything for your children and by giving Lydia some of my liver, I have helped to give her another chance in life, which is absolutely amazing.
"I also feel honoured and proud that I could help Lydia in such a special way."
Lydia has now been given the all-clear after her lifesaving treatment, which saw her undergo two major operations to remove several tumours so she could receive part of her mum's liver.
Lydia, of Pollington, near Goole, was just five when she was diagnosed with advanced pancreatoblastoma. The condition is so rare that it only affects one child in the UK every two years.
The cancer had spread from her pancreas into her liver and lymph nodes and, although chemotherapy shrank the tumours, doctors believed the primary pancreatic tumour was too near the main vessels for them to remove.
With this devastating news, the family went home and planned to make the best of the time that Lydia had left.
Six months later, however, Lydia was still well. She was going to school, dancing and swimming, despite her illness.
As a result, Kate and Paul asked if Lydia could be reassessed.
Doctors agreed and she was referred to Birmingham Children's Hospital, one of only two UK centres that carry out liver and small bowel transplants.
In November last year, surgeons performed the first step of a two-stage operation. During the intricate and complex six-hour procedure, they successfully removed the primary pancreatic tumour, along with Lydia's spleen, infected lymph nodes and two-thirds of her pancreas.
During the operation, surgeons decided that a living donor transplant was also an option.
Mum Kate, 35, proved to be a match and she and Lydia underwent simultaneous procedures in April this year.
Kate had the left lobe of her liver removed – roughly the size of two fists – at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. It was then transplanted at Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Mr Khalid Sharif, one of the four liver transplant surgeons who carried out the surgery on Kate and Lydia, said: "The success of Lydia's treatment is testament to the skills and expertise of our liver team.
"Their combined years of experience meant that Lydia got the complex surgery and care she needed to save her life and we are delighted with her progress."
Lydia returned to Pollington Primary School last week following her operation, while Kate also returned to work.
Kate said: "It's just unbelievable, it's a miracle really.
"There's always a chance the cancer could return but, for now, we are just so happy and thankful.
"Lydia knows everything about her condition now, as she is old enough to and has been asking a lot of questions.
"She takes a lot of medication and she also knows how brave she has been.
"She keeps telling everyone she has part of her mum's liver."
Dad Paul has since decided to complete the Great Birmingham Run to say thank you to Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Raising funds for the liver ward, the 39-year- old leisure centre manager said: "Birmingham Children's Hospital was the only hospital that was willing to take a chance to try to save Lydia's life. We are so grateful for all they have done.
"We thought we were going to lose our little girl and we couldn't be more grateful that she is still with us and doing so well.
"This is my way of saying a huge thank-you to the hospital and giving something back."
Anyone wishing to sponsor Paul can do so by visiting, www.justgiving.com/paul-warner-lydia for more information.
