The heartbroken parents of a ‘superhero’ toddler who died while waiting for an organ transplant have told of their indescribable loss.
Zachary Bradford passed away on January 2 aged three.
The toddler, from Kirkintilloch, was waiting for a small bowel and liver transplant after spending most of his life in hospital.
His family revealed he died after a short battle with sepsis – just one day after his mum Jade issued a plea to Scots to make organ donation a New Year solution.
His gran Nicola Earaker paid a heartfelt tribute to “the happiest boy” who she said “changed the lives of so many”.
The family has now launched a fundraiser to “honouring their son’s beautiful memory” with a fitting funeral.
Nicola said: “Our family were always aware of the race against time for Zachary, and actively campaigned to raise awareness of children in need of transplants. Unfortunately he contracted sepsis, and with how fragile his body was, this was just too much for him. We are all suffering in ways we cannot comprehend. The heartbreak and loss we feel as Zachary’s family is indescribable.
“Zachary was the happiest boy. No matter how much he endured in his short life, he always braved it with a smile on his face. Living most of his life in Glasgow Children’s hospital, he has met and changed the lives of so many. Every day he had the nurses and doctors wrapped round his cheeky little finger as he pointed and bossed them around. Zachary’s love is contagious, and his bravery inspires us to continue on, no matter the pain.”
In September doctors gave Zachary just weeks left to live unless he received a double transplant.
His parents Jade, 23, and Rhys Bradford, 29, never gave up hope that a donor would be found as Zachary continued to pass major milestones reaching his third birthday and his parents’ wedding day in October.
Zachary required a liver transplant after complications following his premature birth on October, 4. 2021. The tiny baby was diagnosed with gastroschisis, a condition where a baby’s bowel grows outside of its body.
Medics were forced to remove most of his bowel and he underwent major operations. However, by early 2022, his parents Jade, 23, and Rhys, 29, were told their son had liver and intestinal failure, caused by long term IV feeds.
He battled on to receive his first liver in 2023 but sadly he contracted sepsis during his recovery and this severely damaged the donor organ.
Last week mum Jade announced the tragic news that her son had passed in a heartbreaking social media post.
She said: “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.
“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.”
A memorial service for Zachary is being planned for next week. You can donate to the fundraiser here.
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