A Kirkintilloch mum has urged people to consider making an organ donation in 2025, as her baby fights for his life on a transplant list.
Jade Bradford, 23, is hoping that 2025 will be the year her three-year-old son, Zachary Bradford, receives the double organ donor that will put an end to his hell.
The brave East Dunbartonshire boy has so far defied the odds after doctors told him he had just weeks left in September 2024. He desperately needs a small bowel and liver transplant, reports the Daily Record.
However specialists in Birmingham, where Zachary will have the operation, have pledged to accept larger organs, which has opened up the possibility that a match can be found.
Jade has now sent a plea for people to register and become a donor.
The mum-of-two said: “A lot of people will make plans for the New Year, but our only priority is keeping our son alive.
“When folk decide to go take up a new gym membership, or start a new diet or cut out alcohol, Zachary will be fighting in hospital and desperate for that call to come in.
Zachary Logan Bradford who has liver and intestinal failure, desperately needs a double transplant to survive. The youngster 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
(Image: UGC)
“I want people to consider organ donation when they are thinking about big changes they could make.
“Doctors have been able to cast the net a bit wider for Zachary now. Before they could only accept a 10kg donor – but they’ve said they will take 50kg. That could potentially mean a small adult.
“The specialist team in Birmingham have told us they have never tried to use larger organs for a child before. But they know Zachary doesn’t have time on his side.”
Jade previously told how she thought Zachary wouldn’t make Christmas after his health completely collapsed following her marriage with partner Rhys, 29, at a ceremony in Glasgow on October 10.
Zachary suffered major bleeds when vessels in his oesophagus burst. He was then flown down to Birmingham in a special private jet for an emergency procedure.
She said: “When doctors said he only had weeks, we set wee milestones. The odds have been heavily stacked against him but he just keeps proving everybody wrong.
“There was a high chance he wouldn’t see his third birthday but he did. We had the most amazing wedding and after that it all just dramatically changed.
“He has had these massive bleeds. We had to get him down to Birmingham for an emergency scope.
Join Glasgow Live’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
“It’s been really scary. There have been times we’ve had to pull the emergency buzzer in the hospital when he’s become really ill.
“He got put on a special private jet to get to Birmingham. We were all in a panic. Every time he has a bleed or infection we think this could be the last one.
“He contracted RSV in November, it’s just a common infection but for Zachary it could be lethal. He nearly ended up in a coma in ICU.
“We have been in and out from hospital and barely been home the past month.”
Zachary was given one night out of hospital where he and little brother Reuben were visited at home by Santa, thanks to the John O’Byrne foundation. The family also spent time at Robin House Hospice for a respite break over the festive period.
Jade added: “We’ve made lots of everlasting memories together as a family. We just hope and pray that in 2025 we’ll be able to make more.”
Sign up to our daily Glasgow Live newsletter here to receive news and features direct to your inbox