Nathaniel's Transplant Journey

CELEBRATE

the Gift of Life

FALL 2022 | VOLUME 38

Nathaniel's Transplant Journey 1 Message from the Chairman 2 Message from the CEO 2 Message from the SVP, 3 Fund Development Message from the Director 3 of Family Relations Nathaniel's Transplant Journey 4 Continued

WestJet Cares for Kids

6

15th Anniversary Summer of Smiles Recap 7 Living Donor Circle of Excellence 8 Introducing Cam Tait 10 Partner Spotlight: 11 Joan and Paul Waechter

Thank You to All Our Partners 11

Did You Know?

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Nathaniel with his living donor, Aunt Becky, his mom, Tessa, and dad, Herman.

Nathaniel’s Transplant Journey

Tessa and Herman’s son Nathaniel was born Nathaniel a month premature weighing only 4.3lbs. TRANSPLANT Due to his tiny size and suspected medical NEEDED: LIVER needs, he had to stay in the hospital for HOME: BURNABY, BC forty-two days. Every single day his mother, Tessa would drive to visit him and stay at home only to sleep. Little did the family know that this was just the beginning of his medical journey. This is their family’s transplant experience in their own words:

Initially, we knew there was a medical complexity with Nathaniel and thought a simple procedure or surgery would resolve all issues, but it was much bigger than that. In October 2019, we found out that he had a genetic disorder and was diagnosed with Alagille Syndrome, a rare genetic mutation that affected his heart, kidney, spine, eyes, and severely impacted his liver. During his first year of life, Nathaniel barely grew and was said to be experiencing failure to thrive by his medical team. He was extremely jaundiced, unable to absorb any fat, was experiencing severe pruritus (itchy skin), and his liver was just not functioning anymore.

Nathaniel had to take multiple medications; at least one medication every two hours and was given special formula that tasted and smelled terrible. At the age of six months, Nathaniel started eating solids and was doing great until nine months old.