DAD’S KIDNEY GIFT TO SON
Little Harry’s big day
LARA toddler Harry Booth wakes up every morning, helps unhook himself from the bedside dialysis machine and asks: “Is it kidney day today?”
The four-year-old has long known his kidney is sick, but it will be a few years before he can appreciate the enormity of the lifesaving gift he will receive from dad Trevor this week.
“You made it for me,” Harry says, pointing at his father’s stomach.
Harry’s genetic make-up makes him a tricky organ match and he has spent almost four years on the deceased organ donor waiting list.
Each night, since he was six years old, he has been tethered to a dialysis machine for 12 hours. But that will hopefully end from next Friday when Mr Booth will give his youngest son one of his kidneys.
“He doesn’t owe me anything, we owe him everything,” Mr Booth said.
“He’s there, and that’s because of his determination. It’s the least we can do.”
Mum Eileen could see in the scan at 20 weeks that her baby’s bladder was far too big.
He was diagnosed with posterior urethral valve, a blockage in the tube leading from the bladder which stops the normal flow of urine outside the body and can damage organs.
Dialysis to take over from this damaged organ and remove the toxins from his blood has worked, but has slowed his growth and delayed the time to transplant.
While Harry would one day need another transplant, Mrs Booth said the operation would give him energy to grow and play.
It would also mean freedom for the wider family, allowing them to plan a trip without needing hospital bags, a contingency plan to the nearest hospital and a second car to convey all the medical equipment Harry needs to survive.
“He will feel better after this. He will be able to grow and keep up with the other kids at kinder,” she said. “It will be freedom for us all.” The Booth family is sharing their story to help kick-off Very Special Kids’ annual Piggy Bank Appeal.
The charity aims to raise about $1 million this year to help it through free counselling, sibling support and specialist carers support more than 900 Victorians families who have a child with a lifethreatening condition.
To support families such as Harry’s, text ‘PIGGY’ to 0455 021 021 to donate.
“He doesn’t owe me anything, we owe him everything. He’s there, and that’s because of his determination. It’s the least we can do.” TREVOR BOOTH ( PICTURED WITH FOURYEAR- OLD SON HARRY)