Mum appeals for living kidney donor to give young son from County Derry a 'better quality of life'

A mother is appealing for a living kidney donor for her young son to give him a chance of having 'a better quality of life'.

Yesterday evening, Jessica Jackson issued a heartfelt appeal for a live donor for her 23 month-old son Cooper Joe, from Gulladuff, describing it as the ‘hardest but most important requests’ she has ever had to make.

Little Cooper Joe, who will celebrate his second birthday on September 10, was born at 26 weeks with Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease as a result of congenital posterior utheral valves (PUV) diagnosed during pregnancy.

The young south Derry boy has to spend 11 hours every day on dialysis.

Cooper Joe’s parents Jessica and Stephen say they just want their son to have a normal life and to be able to enjoy things many take for granted, like family holidays or going swimming.  They hope that this can be made possible through a kidney transplant.

In a Facebook post, Jessica said: “I’m reaching out with one of the hardest but most important requests I have ever had to make.

“For anyone who doesn't already know, our son Cooper Joe Hurley was born at 26 weeks with Stage 5 chronic kidney disease as a result of congenital posterior utheral valves diagnosed during pregnancy.

“Our little miracle boy has beaten the odds so far and continues to fight every day. He's on home Peritoneal dialysis seven nights a week for 11 hours at a time.

“We are now at that stage we never truly thought we would get to of working him up for transplant and we have been advised to reach out to family, friends and the public for potential living donors to come forward for testing.

“We are living for the days our son can have a normal day to day life and a better quality of life too and do the simple things like go on family holidays or be able to go swimming.”

The family is encouraging those who have the blood type O+ or O- to consider getting tested.

Jessica continued: “Anyone with blood type O+ or O- are suitable candidates.

“If you or someone you know has ever considered being a kidney donor, please consider getting tested. Your selfless act could literally save our son's life.

“Even if you can't donate, sharing this post could help us find a match. We are truly grateful for all the support and love.”

If you would like to know more on how to get tested please contact the Living Transplant Coordinator at the Belfast City Hospital on (028) 9504 3872 or by email at DonateLife@belfasttrust.hscni.net.  Alternatively you can reach out to Jessica via Facebook.

She added: “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”