THE FAMILY of a baby boy who is waiting for a liver transplant say they have been blown away by the support of their community which has rallied to support them.
Max Price spent four weeks at Birmingham Children's Hospital in January being assessed and is now waiting for a suitable donor having been put on the list at the start of this month.
His mum and dad Laura and Mike, from Frocester near Stroud, described Max as a little trooper who has 'smiled his way through' a difficult start in life.
“Our beloved son Max has faced the hardest time of his life and smiled his way through it," they said.
“Max is a trooper and is smashing life.
“Next stop is a new liver.”
Just a few weeks after he was born in August, a health visitor spotted that Max, who has a three-year-old sister Lottie, had prolonged jaundice.
Following several tests, he was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a rare condition which affects newborn babies.
He underwent an operation at Birmingham Children’s Hospital - one of only three hospitals in the UK which specialises in the condition - but unfortunately the procedure was not successful meaning the only option is a liver transplant.
Now a community fundraising campaign is underway to support the family and raise money for the Children's Liver Disease Foundation.
Almost £5,000 has been raised already enabling the family to focus on Max's health without worrying about financial concerns.
Laura’s sister Jemma has set up a GoFundMe page while members of the community have been busy organising bingo nights, raffles and other events.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported and raised money for little Max on his journey,” said Laura and Mike.
“We all feel very overwhelmed and loved by everyone.”
“It means so much to us all as a family to have so much support.
“We literally can’t thank everyone else who has donated.
“We cannot believe how much this little man has touched people.
“We are forever grateful for our health visitor Sally Pearce who helped Max get the treatment he urgently needed and for noticing his prolonged jaundice.
“We are very proud of our daughter Lottie - it has been a massive change and shock to her and she has managed to keep going through all of the hospital stays being her happy self when we are not there able to be with her.
A bingo night in Frocester raised £100 while a raffle was held at Saxon Barn in Leonard Stanley which was supported by many companies.
Revive Hair are holding a Prosecco and pamper evening in aid of Max on Friday, March 24 at 5.30pm.
Tickets are £25 and details can be found - bit.ly/3SQgIlp.
Prayers have been said at the Church in Frocester while £500 has been donated out of the Biglands Trust.
Donate to the appeal at - bit.ly/3EutH6h
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