Surgery set for boy in kidney transplant case

Lawyers optimistic on outlook for Gwinnett County toddler.

The 2-year-old Gwinnett County boy who was born without kidneys and has needed dialysis his entire life must undergo surgery — but it’s not a transplant, his family said Friday during a news conference.

AJ Burgess recently developed an abdominal infection, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported.

Now, AJ has pneumonia, and doctors say he needs surgery for hemodialysis access, his mother, Carmellia Burgess, said.

But there’s also good news. Lawyers representing the family said they’re optimistic AJ will get the kidney transplant he needs once his infection clears.

AJ was taken to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston on Sunday.

His father, Anthony Dickerson, is a willing donor and a perfect match. But after he was arrested on Sept. 28, Emory University

Hospital chose not to proceed with the surgery that had been scheduled for early October.

Dickerson has remained by his son’s side. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get my son a kidney,” he said.

But it wasn’t until community activists got involved that a conversation cut off by hospital officials on Oct. 4 resumed, Burgess said.

Students from the Candler School of Theology and members of the NAACP marched outside the hospital Thursday afternoon to let the administration know they want AJ to get the surgery he needs.

Now, the Boazman Law Firm representing the family believes the transplant surgery will take place by January, after AJ’s infection clears, attorney Mawuli Davis said.

“We’re very optimistic this is going forward as soon as AJ is ready,” Davis said.

Emory officials would not comment on Friday, citing privacy laws.

Emory CEO Jonathan S. Lewin released a statement Thursday night agreeing that the boy’s health should be the priority. Lewin said the family and hospital would discuss AJ’s case again on Monday.

In addition to continuing the conversation about Dickerson’s planned kidney donation, a representative from the Georgia Transplant Foundation agreed to mentor Dickerson.

David Manuel, a liver transplant recipient, said he is eager to help Dickerson through aspects of organ donation, such as post-operative care and the nuances of raising money to help pay for associated health costs.

“I want to make sure I coach (Dickerson) through the process because at the end of the day it’s about being a father,” Manuel said. “You have a father willing to do what fathers do: take care of their kids.”

Manuel said Dickerson has an opportunity not only to help his own son, but also to impact the community by showing the importance of being an organ donor.

Burgess said she is dedicated to staying strong for her son, who has continued to fight.

“Through everything, AJ smiles,” Burgess said. “You can’t tell anything is wrong unless you lift up his shirt and see his tubes.”

CONTRIBUTED 2-year-old AJ Burgess, born without kidneys, with his parents, Carmellia Burgess and Anthony Dickerson.