When Rachel Feldman was having a liver transplant at only 9 months old, no one expected her to be standing on the pitcher's mound of Shea Stadium just seven years later.

The Brookville resident was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a liver disease that affects one's bile ducts causing the bile to build up in the liver. For Rachel, a transplant was the only option.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, there are basically only two methods of treatment for biliary atresia, according to doctors and researchers. The preferred treatment is known, in short, as the Kasai procedure in which doctors remove the atretic biliary ducts outside the liver and attach the small intestine directly to the liver at the spot where bile is found. Early diagnosis of this disease is very important. If surgery is performed before the child is 2 months old, success is much more likely. For this reason, the only other treatment option is a liver transplant.

At 9 months old, Rachel had a liver transplant at Jackson Memorial Hospital. "Everything went very well with Rachel's transplant," said Nancy Feldman, Rachel's mother. "She is fine now and not on any medication. It was a very successful procedure for her."

Rachel, who is now 7 years old and a student at the Robert Seaman Elementary School in Jericho, had a once-in-a-lifetime experience on May 16. The American Liver Foundation (ALF) was honoring Mets catcher Mike Piazza for his service in volunteering his time to record a public service announcement for the foundation.

"The American Liver Foundation is the only national, voluntary non-profit health agency dedicated to preventing, treating and curing hepatitis and all liver diseases through research, education and support groups," according to the American Liver Foundation's website.

The ALF presented Piazza with a plaque in appreciation of his thoughtfulness. In turn, someone from the ALF had the opportunity to throw out the opening pitch to start Wednesday night's game. That someone was Rachel.

Family, friends, classmates and many people associated with the ALF watched as Rachel tossed the first pitch to her favorite Met - Mike Piazza.

"I was really excited, but I was also nervous to throw out the first pitch," said Rachel. "I practiced with my dad before I went to the game. Mike Piazza was really nice and so tall. His hands were bigger than my entire back. I am happy with what I did and I think Mike is cool for helping out."

Piazza's message is only one method used by the ALF to get the message out how to prevent many liver diseases and also many forms of hepatitis. Nelson Doubleday, co-owner of the New York Mets, was happy to be a part of the pre-game festivities as he, like Rachel, also had a liver transplant.

On average, there is one case of biliary atresia out of every 15,000 live births and in the United States approximately 300 new cases are diagnosed each year. Females are affected slightly more often than males.

Although the cause is uncertain, it is known that biliary atresia affects only newborns; it is not hereditary; it is not contagious; and it is not preventable.

If biliary atresia is left untreated, the result of blocked bile flow is damage to the liver such that few children survive beyond the age of 2. Liver transplantation plays an important role in the long-term treatment of biliary atresia. Pediatric liver transplantation has evolved into a highly successful therapy and now offers significant hope for all children born with biliary atresia.

At only 9 months old, Rachel fought an enormous battle and won. Now, seven years later her success was celebrated by a stadium full of people. For more information on the American Liver foundation, visit their web site at www.liverfoundation.org.