UPDATE: 4-month-old baby in need of liver transplant dies
Updated: 4:00 p.m. April 10, 2019
UPDATE: MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A four-month-old baby who was in need of a liver transplant has died.
An update on the family's GoFundMe said baby Marcus died Wednesday morning around 4:00 a.m. and that he was comfortable and peaceful.
Marcus was born with a rare liver disease and was in need of a partial liver from a living donor. A search continued for a donor over the last few weeks.
The family says they received thousands of donor inquiries and appreciate the support, donations, and countless thoughts and prayers from the community.
-------
Posted: 5:32 p.m. April 2, 2019
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) – The search continues for a liver donor for a four-month-old baby who has just weeks to live.
The Waukesha family is back to square one after a scheduled donor fell through on Tuesday.
Tuesday was an emotional day for the family after being told that transplant would take place. However, things didn’t go as planned after criteria weren’t met in the last screening test.
Four-month-old Marcus Albers continues to fight for his life at Children’s Hospital, born with a rare liver disease.
“He was in the NICU for a few days for some respiratory issues but no liver issues,” explains Whitney Mclean, Marcus’ mom. “They started taking labs and they started going in the wrong direction.”
Marcus is now in liver failure and in need of a partial liver from a living donor.
“We had a potential donor that was scheduled for today, but unfortunately some of the criteria weren’t met so we’re back to square one to get our story out there,” says Anthony Albers, Marcus’ dad.
Both of Marcus’ parents aren’t able to donate but they’re hoping someone else will.
“We had back-ups apparently but I guess they all fell through too,” says Albers. “Today was a bad day.”
The qualifications to be a donor are as follows:
- Have type O blood
- Weigh less than 150
- Be under 50 years of age
“It’s called immunodeficiency 47, extremely rare,” says Mclean. “From what we’re told there are only 12 cases in the world.”
For Marcus’ parents a donation would also mean a future for their son.
“He’s intubated on the vent, but he knows you’re there,” says Mclean. “You put your finger there and he grabs right on to it. I sing to him every morning and he opens his eyes a little bit so he’s still there.”
Marcus’ 2-year-old brother is also on the transplant list and in need of a new liver for a different condition.
To help alleviate the financial burden on the family, a Gofundme account had been set up.
For more information on how to donate, please fill out the Live Liver Donation Form online at: https://www.froedtert.com/transplant/liver-transplant/live-donor/how-to-donate