Two-year-old James will be going to the British Transplant Games for the very first time this summer!

Ahead of the games coming to Leeds, James's parents Becci and Daniel are joining in the 100 days challenge with Leeds Hospitals Charity, to help raise funds for the Leeds Children's Transplant team.

Becci is walking 5.4km every day for 30 days, and Daniel is running the same distance for 30 days, in the hope of clocking up 100 miles in total!

James was diagnosed with a rare and serious liver condition called Biliary Atresia at just 9 weeks old. 

At 10 weeks old in Leeds General Infirmary he underwent major 7 hour surgery called a Kasai procedure. Unfortunately, a few months later it became apparent this had been unsuccessful and that the only option now was a Liver Transplant.

On Christmas eve 2019 James was put on the waiting list for a life saving liver transplant and went on to spend his first Christmas and New Year in hospital. 

In March 2020, his family received the news they had been hoping and praying for and James's transplant went ahead. James spent one week on the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit before moving to the Liver and Renal ward to continue the rest of his recovery.

He suffered from some post operative complications which meant a 3-4 week recovery turned into almost 8.Just a few weeks after James received his gift of life, covid hit and the UK were put into lockdown.

The ward implemented a one parent rule and so sadly this meant Daniel had to leave Becci and James's side and go straight home. This was the case for the rest of his recovery.

Becci, James's mum can't wait for James and their family to go to the games in Leeds this summer:

"After James was finally well enough to come home from hospital, we spent around 6 months in isolation due to James being immunosuppressed, putting him at higher risk of catching Covid. At the time we didnt know much about the disease and how it would affect him if he was to get it. Already in James's short life we have spent around 300 days/nights in hospital.

"This hasn't been easy but with amazing support from everyone around us we got through it. We cannot begin to thank all the staff enough that have looked after James in this time. We will be eternally grateful not only to them, but especially to James's donor and their brave and courageous family. They will be remembered always. James is now thriving and running around like any other boy his age, which is just so lovely to see. We see the games as a special opportunity for him and our family to be united with other transplant children and their families who im sure will become friends for life".

 

Support Becci and Daniel by donating to their fundraising page