A courageous toddler tragically lost his life in hospital after battling health complications since birth. Zachary Bradford passed away on Thursday, just a day after his mum Jade made an emotional plea to Scots to consider organ donation as their New Year resolution.
Little Zach, who was born prematurely at 28 weeks and weighed a mere 2lbs 13oz, was diagnosed with gastroschisis – a condition where a baby’s bowel grows outside of its body. Unfortunately, his bowel was too damaged to be saved and surgeons had to remove most of it.
The brave tot spent three months in the Neonatal Unit at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, undergoing major operations including fitting a stoma, a PEG procedure for a feeding tube, PDA Ligation heart surgery and a step procedure to lengthen his bowel. However, by early 2022, his parents Jade, 23, and Rhys, 29, were given the heart-breaking news that their son was suffering from liver and intestinal failure, caused by long-term IV feeds.
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Zachary was placed on the double transplant list for a small bowel and liver transplant following organ assessments at King’s College Hospital in London. Despite receiving a new liver in 2023, he sadly contracted sepsis during his recovery which severely damaged the donor organ.
His family were told in September last year that he might only have weeks to live. They prepared for the worst but never gave up hope that new organ donors could be found, reports the Daily Record.
The brave tot spent three months in the Neonatal Unit at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow
Initially, it was stated that Zachary needed organs from a small child but as his health declined, specialists decided that they would accept larger organs.
The family marked a bittersweet milestone as they celebrated young Zachary’s third birthday on October 4 and, touched by the fragility of life, brought forward their wedding to October 10 to ensure their cherished son could witness the union. Sadly, despite his valiant battle, Zachary’s mother, Jade, shared on Wednesday her heart-wrenching focus for the new year was singular: to keep her beloved boy alive.
Overcome by a mother’s fierce love, she said: “A lot of people will make plans for the New Year, but our only priority is keeping our son alive.”
She continued with a plea, as many ring in a fresh start with gym memberships or health resolutions: “When folk decide to go take up a new gym membership, or start a new diet or cut out alcohol, Zachary will be fighting in hospital and desperate for that call to come in.”
She implored others to contemplate organ donation as a meaningful change they could make. In a devastating update on Friday, Jade announced the incomprehensible loss of Zachary, expressing “Zachary Logan Bradford, in our hearts forever. After an intense three days in PICU, fighting till the very last moment, our boy left this world peacefully in our arms.”
Initially, it was stated that Zachary needed organs from a small child but as his health declined, specialists decided that they would accept larger organs.
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Image:
UGC)
Mum Jade, Zachary and dad Rhys
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Her grief was palpable as she continued, “I’m struggling to comprehend or find the words for you my baby boy. I am beyond broken, my everything has been taken away and the pain that is left feels insufferable.”
Reflecting on the joy he brought them, she said, “You were simply the happiness in our life, and it will never be the same without you.
You have taught us all so many lessons in your short life, and the one we really need to remember just now is to keep going, to keep smiling no matter the pain.”
In a final, tender farewell to her son, she said, “I love you Zachary, sweet dreams my beautiful boy. We will see you soon.”