A brave toddler has died in hospital after fighting for his life since birth.
Zachary Bradford passed away on Thursday, just one day after his mum Jade pleaded with Scots to make organ donation a New Year resolution.
Zach, 3, was born prematurely at 28 weeks weighing just 2lbs 13oz on October 4, 2021. He was diagnosed with gastroschisis, a condition where a baby’s bowel grows outside of its body.
Sadly, his bowel was too damaged to save and surgeons had to remove most of it. Zachary spent three months in the Neonatal Unit at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow where he had major operations to fit a stoma, a PEG procedure to fit a feeding tube, PDA Ligation heart surgery and a step procedure to lengthen his bowel.
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 was placed on the double transplant list for a small bowel and liver transplant following organ assessments at the King’s College Hospital in London.
Zachary battled on and was given a new liver in 2023 but sadly he contracted sepsis during his recovery and this severely damaged the donor organ.
His family were told he might only have weeks to live inSeptember last year and they prepared for the worst, but never gave up hope that new organ donors could be found.
It was first stated that Zachary needed organs from a small child but as his health declined and specialists decided that they would accept larger organs.
The family celebrated Zachary’s third birthday on October 4 and his parents brought their wedding forward to October 10 so their son could be there with them.
He kept fighting and his mum, Jade, told the Record on Wednesday that she had made no plans for the new year other than keeping her son alive.
The mum-of-two said: “A lot of people will make plans for the New Year, but our only priority is keeping our son alive.
“When folk decide to go take up a new gym membership, or start a new diet or cut out alcohol, Zachary will be fighting in hospital and desperate for that call to come in.
“I want people to consider organ donation when they are thinking about big changes they could make.“
However, Jade tragically announced on Friday that Zachary had passed away.
She said: “Zachary Logan Bradford, in our hearts forever. After an intense three days in PICU, fighting till the very last moment, our boy left this world peacefully in our arms.
“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.
“I love you Zachary, sweet dreams my beautiful boy. We will see you soon.”
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