Meet Markus DeJong, a fortunate little boy who recently received a life-saving gift – a new liver. At just two years old, he was faced with a health crisis that required urgent medical intervention.
Initially, Markus appeared healthy at birth. However, after three weeks, he became irritable and had trouble sleeping. His parents noticed his jaundiced skin color and knew they needed to seek help.
Describing her son’s appearance, his mother, Tanya Dejong, said he was “green like Baby Hulk.” It was later determined that Markus had a growing tumor that posed a threat of turning cancerous. Time was of the essence.
Fortunately, on November 6, Markus’s 30-year-old father, an oil worker from southern Alberta, was able to donate a portion of his liver to save his son’s life. This was particularly fortunate, as the waiting list for a liver donor can be up to two years. Tests confirmed that his father was a compatible donor.
“The tumor was pressing against the kidneys, causing blood-flow problems,” explained Markus’s father. It was indeed a critical situation.
Remarkably, Markus was discharged from the hospital on Christmas Eve, making it an unforgettable holiday season for his family. While he will need to take medication for the rest of his life to prevent rejection of the transplant and guard against infections, medical professionals believe that he will be able to lead a healthy, normal life.
“He will still be able to attend school, participate in activities like swimming lessons and Cubs, and even join select hockey teams,” confirmed hepatologist Susan Gilmour, the doctor overseeing Markus’s care.
The procedure performed on Markus is quite rare, as only about one in four child patients have a compatible parent who can donate a liver in terms of blood type and size. In Canada, there were approximately 50 liver transplants for children in 2005, averaging 35 to 40 per year.
On average, children in the Edmonton health region wait nine months for a liver transplant, while adults in Canada typically wait two years. The latest data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information revealed that 3,914 patients were on waiting lists for organ transplants at the end of 2003. Tragically, 250 patients, including 100 waiting for a liver, died while awaiting their life-saving procedures.
Markus’s story is a reminder of the importance of organ donation and the incredible impact it can have on someone’s life.
SOURCE:CANADA.COM
