I have a 22 month old son who is currently waiting for a much needed kidney transplant. Currently Christopher has 11 hours of peritoneal dialysis every day. He‘s tube fed via a gastrostomy and is on a number of medications every day to help keep him stable.

Christopher was born at 38 weeks and we had no idea he was going to be poorly. He was taken straight away from me and when I eventually saw him he was covered in tubes and wires and we were told he was very sick but they didn’t know why. The following night his blood pressure dropped to 17, we had him baptised and were advised to say goodbye. We were even told not to leave him even to get a drink as he wouldn’t be there when we came back. Somehow Christopher managed to keep fighting and at 4 days old he was diagnosed with kidney failure. He was put on a filter the very same day but the rollercoaster continued when he got an infection in his line. In a final attempt to save Christopher, a PD catheter was inserted and he’s been on peritoneal dialysis ever since, not without its hiccups of course. I didn’t get to hold Christopher until he was 2 1/2 weeks old. He was transferred to Great Ormond Street at 19 days old and he was there for three months before he got to cone home. He’s now very stable and a very happy and funny little boy who is developing well.

We are now working up to transplant but we do not have a date.

Being a renal patient Christopher has a lot of blood tests and unfortunately Christopher doesn’t have the best veins, nor are they easy to find. We would really like to get an electronic vein finder that will allow his veins to be visible, making it quicker and less painful.

The vein finder will also benefit other children as again when not needed we will dinate to great ormond street childrens hospital. Unfortunately we know if we leave it there permanently it will get lost and therefore not benefit Christopher.

If anyone is able to help support us it would be really appreciated. Any donations no matter how small will make a huge difference.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for any support you might be able to offer.