A seven-year-old Regina boy is clinging to life this week in need of a liver transplant.
Doctors at the Edmonton Children's Hospital say Harrison Aikman needs to find a liver donor within three days. He is at the top of the organ donor list in North America
His aunt, Norma Rae Chapman, says one month ago Harrison was like any other little boy -- active and full of energy. Then one day he came home from school tired with yellow colouring and darkened eyes.
"Everything changes within three weeks when all of a sudden, there's this little boy who won't make it without a donor," Chapman said.
Medical tests in Regina and Saksatoon hospitals ruled out many of the common causes of liver failure.
"They couldn't seem to find any rhyme or reason for what was happening but he seemed to be getting weaker every day," she explained.
Harrison was taken to the Edmonton Hospital for Sick Children. Chapman says from that point on, his condition seemed to get worse overnight.
"It's quite devastating. It's quite surreal actually," she said on behalf of his immediate family who are waiting with him in Edmonton.
Chapman says doctors still aren't completely sure what caused his liver failure but believe it may have been a condition that was just laying dormant in his body since he was born.
Read More: http://cjme.com/story/7-year-old-regina-boy-tops-organ-donor-list/58526
{Register to be an organ,eye and tissue donor. To learn how, www.donatelife.net or www.organdonor.gov}
1 comment:
Hello, I am the father of Harrison Aikman. We appreciate everyone's support and prayers during this difficult time. However, I feel the need to take a few moments to correct sme inaccuracies reported in this story. The article is an example of poor reporting, without any real fact checking.
The doctors did not say he needs the liver within three days to survive - the fact is that he does need a new liver, but that window is incorrect - most people listed as 3F receive donation offers within 72 hours. We hope for a donor within that time if not sooner. The timeline is dictated by his condition and he needs a liver sooner than later.
Also, he is listed a priority organ recipient, but to say he tops the list is inaccurate there are many children across the country who are in the same situation and our hearts go out to them and their families as well.
Also his condition was never thought to be dormant - whatever attacked his liver is unknown, but occurred in the last six weeks.
We did not condone the use of his photo or name for this story and while we appreciate the thought behind it, however misguided, and the outpouring of support we have received, we would like to ask to let us experience this difficult chapter of our lives privately. Thank you for your time.
Post a Comment