Family pleads for kidney donor as teen’s health declines: ‘We need help’

This post was originally published on this site.

A New Jersey family is desperately seeking aliving donorto save Thaddeus Giansanti, an eighth-grader who was born with kidney disease.

Thaddeus has had multiple surgeries throughout his13 years, including one to remove a kidney as a baby.

RFK JR ANNOUNCES ‘HISTORIC CRACKDOWN’ ON ‘BROKEN’ ORGAN DONATION SYSTEM

“His remaining kidney is now failing,” said his father, Carlo Giansanti.“We are not a match, so now we’re asking for help from the community.”

The family first found out about their son’s kidney disease before he was born, whenan ultrasounddetected a potential issue.

Christa DeMark and Carlo Giansanti are pictured with their son Thaddeus, who has battled kidney disease his entire life. (Christa DeMark)

“It was nothing alarming at that point — it looked like he had extra fluid when he was born,” Thaddeus�“Everything seemed normal, but right before we were leaving, they noticed an elevated creatinine number (a measure of kidney function in blood tests) that led to us being in touch with nephrology.”

She added, “There was something wrong with the ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder) and the formation of the kidneys.”

SURGEONS KEEP MAN ALIVE WITHOUT LUNGS, PAVING NEW PATH TO TRANSPLANT

Thaddeus spent an extended period of time in the NICU, where he had multiple procedures.Before he was even 5 months old, he underwent aleft nephrectomyto remove his left kidney.

His remaining kidney was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, which has requiredlifelong medications.

“He’s been with nephrology and nephrologists his entire life, and up until last year, everything’s been stable, but that’s been slowly changing,” DeMark said.“He’s getting bigger, and it’s been putting more stress on his remaining kidney.”

Thaddeus, now 13, has had multiple surgeries throughout his life, including one to remove his kidney as a baby.(Christa DeMark)

Doctors informed the family that their best course of action would be to find aliving donor.

“Everything’s been sped up based on his bloodwork lately,” DeMark said.“So it’s looking like we need something quicker than we thought, which is why we’re looking for living donors.”

“It has pushed us to rely on faith in a way that’s very palpable — we are just coming together as a family and taking each day as it comes.”

If Thaddeus does not receive a kidney transplant within a couple of weeks, he will need to beput on dialysis, according to his doctors.

“It’s obviously been challenging for him,” DeMark said.“He’s dealing with it very well, but these are difficult situations we’re navigating.”

His parents describe Thaddeus as a smart, outgoing boy — a straight-A student who was recently awarded multiple scholarships for next year, when he will become a high-school freshman.

being an altar serverand working with the local food pantry.

“He loves his family, and loves doing things with his family,” DeMark said.“He’s just a great kid.”

The boy’s remaining kidney is failing, and his family is asking the community to help find a life-saving donor.(Christa DeMark)

Thaddeus’ parents said they have not shared much about their son’s medical condition until now.“We wanted Thad to just be the bright, happy person that he is, so we’ve minimized it for years,” DeMark said.

But in the last couple of weeks, as their son’s condition has become more dire, they have started to speak out about their situation.

“The miracle Thad needs right now is people who have the ability to step up,” his mother said.“He is a great kid, a kind kid.”(Christa DeMark)

To be considered for the donation program, kidney donors must be 45 or younger, have a BMI under 30 and match Thaddeus’ O blood type.

For those who are considering becoming donors, DeMark emphasized that it entails a laparoscopic procedure with a “fairly quick” healing process that is covered by their insurance, not the donor’s.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

“The miracle Thad needs right now is people who have the ability to step up,” she added.“He is a great kid, a kind kid.”

Those interested in being considered as a donor can complete thisKidney Transplant Living Donor Questionnaire.

Story tips can be sent to melissa.com.