A brave Scots tot who was given just weeks to live has celebrated his third birthday after his parents feared he wouldn’t see it.
Zachary Bradford, from Kirkintilloch,is severely ill as he waits for a small bowel and liver transplant. The tiny toddler is so small the vital organs can only come from a child donor.
Medics warned parents Jade Earaker and Rhys Bradford last month that little Zachary might not make his 3rd birthday if he didn’t receive a double transplant in time.
But the brave tot marked his birthday this week by dressing up as favourite characters Woody from Toy Story and Spiderman.
Mum Jade, 23, said: “It’s been really emotional, this is a day we never thought we’d seen weeks ago. It’s really hit us, everyone in the family has been in tears just celebrating Zachary and celebrating that he’s still with us, still smiling and his happy self. We know that time is not on our side and that every birthday could be our last.
“Now we’ve got to three we want to get to four, we’re just so proud of him.”
Zachary was paid a visit by loved ones who showered him with new toys and costumes to dress-up in.
Jade said: “It’s been brilliant, he’s just had the best day ever. We’ve had him dressing up as Woody and Spiderman and he’s had loads of toys, he’s been so excited all day. He’s going to have a wee bit of birthday cake, he gets fed nutrients through a feeding tube – but we’ll make sure he has a nibble of cake.”
Zachary began enduring major health problems when he was born.
He was given a new liver in 2023, following five unsuccessful matches. But he contracted sepsis during his recovery which severely damaged his donor organ.
Mum Jade told two weeks ago how the family, along with Zachary’s one-year-old brother Reuben had vowed to “make memories”, as they prepared for the worst.
The family have been keeping busy and living in the moment with trips to Robin House Children’s Hospice in Balloch.
The next milestone will see Jade and partner Rhys, 29, tie the knot as they are set to get married this week in Glasgow. But ahead of their special day, the couple thanked the hospice for their help as they were able to do pre-wedding photos – to make more memories as a family.
Jade added: “The hospice has been amazing, they knew we were getting married soon and said there are some stunning locations nearby at Loch Lomond. We decided on a pre-wedding photo shoot – should the worst happen before our wedding day.
“The photographer, Debbie Todd, travelled up from Newcastle, she has worked with us before and is passionate about raising awareness of organ donation.
“It was just to allow us to have some beautiful precious pictures together with Zachary in his kilt. We just thought it’s two weeks before the wedding, it allows us to have something to look back on.”
Jade has heaped praise on the hospice for their incredible support.
“They’re just amazing,” she added. “It’s not what you expect it to be. We spent a week there and it was like a holiday for us, it was like going to Centre Parcs.”
You can still donate to Zachary’s fundraiser here.
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