Scots parents desperate to make final memories with baby given weeks to live
The parents of a toddler who could die within weeks if he can't get a life-saving double transplant are desperate to make special final memories with their son.
Two-year-old Zachary Bradford is severely ill as he waits for a small bowel and liver transplant. But the vital organs can only come from a child donor, giving Zachary a slim chance of surviving.
Medics have told shattered parents Jade Earaker, 23, and Rhys Bradford, 29, that their boy might not make it till his third birthday on October 4.
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While they remain hopeful a donor will be found, they have launched an 11th hour fundraiser so they can plan their final days with the tot.
The Kirkintilloch couple, who are also parents to one-year-old Reuben, are hoping to take Zachary to legoland and plan to celebrate Christmas early as a family.
Jade told the Record: "We don’t know how long we’ve got left with him but we want to make each day we have with Zachary special.
"We would love to spend time as the four of us making memories together."
Jade had dreamed of one day being able to take her son to Disneyland but the family are unable to travel.
"We hope to take him to Legoland, or CBeebies land, somewhere with a hospital nearby," she continued.
"If we can't get anywhere then we will bring Christmas forward and give Zachary his own mini nursery at home.
"Anything that can take us away from our world of constant worry and hospital visits.
"We’d love to take him to Disney World, if he gets the transplant."
Zachary was put back on the transplant list earlier this year after he received a new liver in 2023, following five unsuccessful matches. But he contracted sepsis during his recovery which severely damaged his donor organ.
He is now fighting for his life with fears that one more infection could kill him.
Jade told earlier this week how doctors confirmed he has “just weeks, not months” left.
She said: “When they told us last week, it felt like all our nightmares had become reality.
“We’ve started speaking to a children’s hospice and we are discussing palliative care for Zachary.
“It doesn’t mean we have given up, but we’ve got to plan ahead and have those tough conversations about what comes next.”
The family have already had to watch other children on the transplant list pass away as she laid bare the grim reality facing families.
She added: "We've been to several funerals of the children of friends who have sadly not survived.
“These kids were on the same ward as Zachary and some of them were waiting on the transplant list just like him.
“Nothing prepares you for going to one child’s funeral, never mind several. It’s heartbreaking.”
You can donate to the fundraiser for Zachary here.
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