Local boy waits for organ transplant, need for donor increase

KTBS | Erin Buchanan

HAUGHTON, La. - In many ways, Austin Woodall is like any other 5-year-old boy. But before he and his twin brother, Justin, were even born, doctors discovered something was wrong.

"When I went to see my high-risk doctor, they found that one of them quit growing," recalls their mother, Tanya Woodall.

Tanya says her sons were born 6 weeks early and Austin was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, which means his kidneys leak large amounts of protein from the blood into the urine.

"He's been in and out of the hospital so much."

Austin's best chance at a healthy life is through a kidney transplant, and he's spent the last two years waiting for a donor.

"Both of his kidneys are shut down as of right now," explains Tanya.

Sheron Raymond, with Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency, or LOPA, says for a person to actually donate, specific criteria must be met.

Read more: http://www.ktbs.com/news/Local-boy-waits-for-organ-transplant-need-for-donors-increases/-/144844/14432236/-/otvorl/-/index.html