THE parents of an ill child have made a heartfelt appeal to members of the public to consider organ donation. Chloe Kinahan, who lives in Baldoyle, was 15 weeks pregnant when it was discovered her unborn son, Sam, had an obstruction to his urinary system causing his kidneys to be irreparably damaged.
Medics said it was unlikely that he would survive the pregnancy and his parents Chloe and Ivan’s world was turned upside down.
“The prognosis for survival after birth or even to be carried to full term was extremely poor,
? Chloe told Northside People.
“Physically, the pregnancy was fine for me but it was a very emotional time, filled with trepidation and uncertainty.
“Towards the end of the pregnancy, the environment was
‘hostile’ for Sam so I was induced and our little fighter entered the world on April 24, 2014, two weeks early.
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However, because of Sam’s condition, within hours he was transferred from the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) at Holles Street to Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin.
There, it was determined he was in End Stage Kidney Failure. His kidneys had simply not had a chance to develop in the womb.
“Sam spent five weeks there initially before we were able to take him home,
? said Chloe.
“Our brave little boy underwent four operations by the time he was four-months-old.
“Now eleven-months-old, he undergoes a form of home dialysis treatment, called Peritoneal Dialysis, five nights a week for nine and a half hours at a time.
“It’s a tough regime for Sam but also for Ivan and I. At the start, setting up the machine correctly, changing and cleaning dressings and wounds and then connecting our small baby to a machine for life saving treatment was extremely nerve wracking.
“It was a similar feeling to having an exam hanging over you every day knowing you have this job ahead of you and the days off dialysis were a huge relief.
?Thankfully, it is starting to slot into our evening routine a little better now but as Sam grows, he may need more nights on dialysis than the current five nights.
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According to Chloe, the prognosis for Sam’s future is good and with a kidney transplant, he should be able to live a long and normal life.
“Ivan and I hope that one of us will be a suitable kidney donor but we will have to wait until Sam is between two and three-years-old and he reaches the required weight and height to be suitable for transplantation,
? she explained.
“We have received huge support from our family and friends and a number of them have offered to donate a kidney to Sam.
“Despite all he has been through so far, Sam is a really happy boy full of life and curiosity. We also have a four-year-old girl, Ali, and they really are the best of friends.
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Chloe said it’s very emotional watching the two children playing together.
“We are so proud of our brave little man and our family,
? she added.
“I hope that by sharing our story for Organ Donor Awareness Week that more people will consider organ donation and discuss their decision with their family.
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This year’s annual Organ Donor Awareness Week campaign, organised by the Irish Kidney Association (IKA), takes place from March 28 to April 4.
During the week ‘Forget-me-not Flower’ emblems will be on sale throughout the country from Irish Kidney Association volunteers.
Broadcaster Mary Kennedy, who is continuing in her voluntary role as ambassador for the event, said it was a great honour to be asked to help create awareness for organ donation.
?¢Organ Donor Cards can also be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association LoCall 1890 543639 or Freetext the word DONOR to 50050. Also, you can visit www.ika.ie for more information.