A 2-year-old born without healthy kidneys found the perfect donor match in his father. But a lack of cooperation from Emory Hospital is preventing A.J. Burress from the transplant surgery that would save his life.
On Friday, WGCL-TV in Atlanta reported the hospital is prohibiting A.J.’s father, Anthony Dickerson, from donating his kidney to his son because of a parole violation.
“The lady said we need your parole information and your probation info,” A.J.’s mother, Carmella, told the television station. “He said, ‘why?’ We need you to be on good behavior for three to four months before you can give your son the kidney. And January 2018 we will think about re-evaluating you basically.”
Dickerson was found in possession of a firearm during an attempt to commit a felony. He was sent back to jail but was soon released.
In a statement sent to the news station, Emory Hospital didn’t cite any hospital policies or regulations for their decision.
“Emory Healthcare is committed to the highest quality of care for its patients. Guidelines for organ transplantation are designed to maximize the chance of success for organ recipients and minimize risk for living donors,” a hospital representative said in a statement. “Because of privacy regulations and respect for patient confidentiality, we cannot share specific information about patients.”
Now, A.J. will have to be placed on a waiting list for kidney transplants. Carmella, a single mother, said waiting four months for his father to be reevaluated as a donor places her son at risk as his health is continually worsening.
Sign this Change.org petition to persuade Emory Hospital to continue forth with A.J.’s transplant surgery.
