A Peabody family is searching for a living liver donor for their 6-year-old son, Camron Cummings, who was diagnosed with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and needs a liver transplant.
I'm Boston 25's Alyssa Azara, on scene in Peabody, where
a family here is sharing their story in hopes of helping their son.
Cam has gone through more than any six-year-old should.
He's in need of a living donor transplant,
and you may just be able to help him.
He loves dirt bikes, he loves just being outside,
doing swings, throwing a ball.
Six-year-old Cameron Cummings of Peabody is an energetic
and outgoing little boy with a contagious smile.
But for Cam and his family,
the last few years have been anything but easy.
When we first told him, he kind of said that you have
a germ in your belly, and it's just making you really sick.
When Cam was three, parents Brittany and Michael Cummings noticed
a yellow ring in the corner of his eye, and his belly was extended.
And he had a little bit of a yellow underglow to his skin complexion.
They took Cam to his pediatrician for testing.
Results revealed elevated bilirubin and liver enzymes in his blood.
Cam was quickly referred to Boston Children's Hospital,
where a doctor delivered the family news they never expected.
I know what your son has, and there's no cure.
Cam was diagnosed with a genetic disorder
called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency,
causing progressive damage to his liver.
We had no idea it was even in our family,
but he had stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver at the time he was diagnosed.
And the doctors came in and said,
your son's going to need a liver transplant sooner rather than later.
In one single moment, Cam and his family's lives changed forever.
He was in liver failure.
Seeing your son sick, not being able to breathe at times,
being in pain, not being able to get out of bed,
in and out of the hospital, it's tough.
Cam has been on the transplant list since January,
and after multiple weeks-long hospital visits this past summer,
currently he's doing okay.
But his family says a living donor could help get Cam
a new liver as soon as possible.
The thought that if we can't find a living donor that he has to live
and get sicker before he can get a liver is just a killer.
Another chance of life is what
a living donor would gift Cam, a chance he deserves.
Nothing else matters but to see your kid grow a happy
and healthy life, so that's all we want.
Because the liver can regenerate,
a donor would give a portion of the organ.
Cam's father, Michael, carries a genetic variant associated
with Alpha-1, preventing him from donating.
What's your hope for Cam?
We can get a living donor and get this thing over
with soon so he can live his life.
He's still just a kid. He wants to play, and he deserves it.
If you or someone you know thinks you can help Cam,
go to our website, boston25news.com.
On scene in Peabody, Alyssa Azar of your local station, Boston 25 News.
