Family of Scots tot who received transplant 'hit rock bottom' as he now needs multi-organ donation
23.04.2024 - 07:04
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
The parents of a Scots toddler who received a life-saving liver transplant have 'hit rock bottom' after finding out he now needs multiple organ donations.
Zachary Logan Bradford, who has liver and intestinal failure, received a new liver in August 2023 after five unsuccessful matches. But the two-year-old contracted sepsis during his recovery which severely damaged his new liver.
The brave tot is now back on the transplant list and needs a liver and bowel donation to survive.
His devastated mum Jade Earaker, dad Rhys, and little brother Reuben face an anxious wait for a donor - which must be a baby as Zachary weighs only 9kg.
Jade, 23, from East Kilbride said: "We are absolutely devastated to be back to what feels like rock bottom again, with an insurmountable hurdle to climb.
"Zachary's liver transplant was a success but unfortunately he contracted sepsis at a critical moment in his recovery which severely damaged his new liver. He is now being re-listed for a multi-organ transplant.
"Zachary’s new liver absolutely saved his life and we will always be grateful to the selfless donor who gave him a second chance at life. We simply wouldn’t have Zachary with us today if it wasn’t for them.
"But now we are relying on a second donor - and this time a much much smaller one.
“With any transplant you are faced with so many emotions but as soon as children are thrown into the mix, and being dependent on small donors, it only heightens those feelings of guilt, fear and dread.
"It breaks my heart to be in this position yet again.”
Zachary was born prematurely weighing just 2lbs 13oz with his bowel growing outside his body after mum Jade Earaker was rushed in for emergency surgery at 28 weeks pregnant in 2021.
Medics performed his bowel