Mum's plea for baby Wesley

Little Wesley Hitchcock was born with the rare congenital nephrotic syndrome which means he needs a blood transfusion every three days.

Kym Tinworth

THREE-WEEK-OLD Wesley Hitchcock is fighting for his life in a Brisbane hospital, needing blood donations three times a day and full blood transfusions every three days just to stay alive.

Wesley has congenital nephrotic syndrome, a rare condition that causes kidney failure, blood clots, severe infections and swelling.

His mother, Sam, spends between eight and 12 hours by his side every day in the intensive care unit of the Royal Children’s Hospital, where he is expected to be for anywhere between six months and two years.

“I sit there all day hoping to see him open his eyes,” she said.

“He had a blood clot in his brain and we have to be very careful with him. He has to be monitored constantly.”

Mrs Hitchcock said her son would need a kidney transplant when he reached the size of a two-year-old.

“At the moment he is hooked up to a breathing machine, needs two different blood products three time a day and blood transfusions every three days,” she said.

“We have been through every single up and down. We’ve been from crying to not crying and from hope to no hope. They didn’t even think he would survive the ambulance trip from the hospital to the Royal Flying Doctor Service plane.”

Wesley was born five weeks early and, due to complications, had not grown in the three weeks before.

“He is relying on blood donations to stay alive,” Mrs Hitchcock said.

“He wouldn’t be here if people weren’t donating.”

Mrs Hitchcock’s friends have rallied around her, urging everyone they know to donate blood.

Kym Tinworth said she was heartbroken to learn about Wesley’s condition.

“It’s just not fair,” she said.

“He’s is just the most gorgeous little man I have ever seen and she’s one of the most amazing people I have ever met.”

Mrs Tinworth is pleading with the community to help save Wesley and others like him by donating blood.

“You don’t realise how important donating blood is until someone you love and care about is sick,” she said.

“They’re in our thoughts, hopes, prayers and dreams. Sam is away from her husband and two girls while she is down there as well, which makes it even harder. They are her entire life.”

HOW TO DONATE

Bundaberg’s blood service is located at Bundaberg Hospital. One donation can save up to three lives. To inquire about blood donation times or to make a booking, telephone 13 14 95.