An Atlanta boy born without kidneys will have to wait until the New Year for a possible transplant after his father, who is a perfect match, violated his probation.
The surgery for AJ Burgess, 2, is being delayed for several months because of his father’s arrest, according to NBC affiliate, WXIA.
AJ’s father, Anthony Dickerson, was supposed to donate his left kidney to his son on Oct. 3.
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Dickerson was arrested on Sept. 28 — on a firearms charge — a day before he was scheduled for blood work and a pre-operative appointment. According to a media report, Emory Healthcare was still willing to do the operation despite the arrest. The hospital even sent a letter to the Gwinnett County Jail, where Dickerson was being held, reading in part:
“Mr. Dickerson is currently in custody for a parole violation. If Mr. Dickerson could be escorted to Emory for blood work and a pre-operative appointment tomorrow, September 29, [sic] we will be able to continue with the scheduled surgery.”
However, when Dickerson was released on Oct. 2 so the hospital could move forward with the scheduled kidney transplant, AJ’s parents said Emery Healthcare was putting the operation on hold until Dickerson complied with his parole for three months.
“It’s about my son,” said AJ’s mother, Carmella Burgess, to WXIA. “He’s been through a lot. It’s like we’ve been waiting on this. And dad making a mistake shouldn’t affect what he wants to do with our son.”
In a statement from the hospital, they explained why they had put the surgery on hold:
“The Living Donor Transplant Team at Emory has asked Mr. Dickerson for evidence of compliance from his parole officer for the next three months. We will re-evaluate Mr. Dickerson in January 2018 after receipt of his completed documentation.”
Global News reached out to Emory Healthcare for comment and was given an email statement by their media relations department:
“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. Because of privacy regulations and respect for patient confidentiality, we cannot share specific information about patients.”
When WXIA asked Emory Healthcare specifically what Dickerson’s violation had to do with the surgery, the news outlet was told the hospital wasn’t allowed to “answer specific questions because of patient confidentiality.”
Burgess has since set up a GoFundMe page where she says AJ has been “fighting for his life since the day he came into this world.”
She went on to say she hasn’t been able to hold a stable job because she is constantly taking care of her son.
The campaign has been able to reach more than $5,000 of its $7,000 goal.
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