The family of a little boy who is in need of a kidney transplant say they have been blown away by the response to their plea for help online.
Olly Cartmill was born on Boxing Day, through a normal delivery. The Newry child's newborn scans were normal too, and his parents Dionne and Neil said they "couldn’t have had a better Christmas present".
But as the months progressed, they could see something wasn’t right, but never expected it to be stage 5 kidney failure. If it weren’t for a blood test, Olly would probably be dead, his mum Dionne said.
Read more: Belfast parents hail community for helping young daughter feel included
The three-year-old is on dialysis and is being heavily fluid restricted. This week, Olly's family have made an urgent appeal, to help their child.
Dionne said: "Olly is the light of our lives and is just trying so hard to be a normal wee boy.
"Our wonderful consultants and medical team have told us, that at just three years old, he needs Kidney Transplant immediately.
"Over the past few weeks we are so thankful that we’ve had so many of our family come forward and get checked out but for so many different reasons we haven’t yet got a match.
"As a naturally private family it’s difficult for us to go public and make this plea, but we are left with no other option as time is running out for our little fighter."
Olly can receive a kidney transplant from any adult who is a match for him.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Dionne said they have been blown away by recent support.
"Everyone’s kindness has us overwhelmed," she added.
"If you can help Olly please contact the Belfast City Hospital and reference Olly Cartmill as the donor recipient.
"The Donor Co-Ordinator has told me they have received that many calls that the lines have crashed but they have said their system will pick up the missed call and they will get back to people.
"They have asked if you can email them instead to this address: donatelife@belfasttrust.hscni.net.
"Please think about becoming a life-saver and have that family conversation about Organ Donation - we all have it in us to become a life-saver."
If you are in a position to help Olly, please contact donatelife@belfasttrust.hscni.net with the below details:
- Full Name
- Address
- Telephone Number
- Date of Birth
For more information, visit the Kidney Care UK website through this link. Find out more about Organ Donation NI here.
READ NEXT:
North Belfast mum's frustration as crucial autism legislation in jeopardy over funding
Parents' heartache as they bury son days after he is sent home from A&E
Co Tyrone boy, 11, thanks Air Ambulance after swift response to school accident
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
