Salt Lake City (ABC 4 News) We all know about adults in need of an organ transplants. But did you know thousands of children are waiting for life saving transplants too? And some of them are right here in Utah - including little Patrick Hoopes.
"I'm going to get you. Ha, ha, ha."
Patrick and his parents enjoy playing together - even if it is in a hospital room at Primary Children's Medial Center (see slide show photos). I caught up with Emily and Brian Hoopes and 18 month old Patrick a couple of days ago in his patient room.
He is a happy and energetic baby - laughing nearly the entire time we were there. He loves funny noises and cell phones. And when he smiles and there is no sense resisting you will smile as well. Despite how happy and healthy he may look - he is dealing with a life threatening problem. His mother Emily explains."He was born without his intestines - he lost them due to a birth defect. He can't get any nutrition from what he eats - he gets all his nutrition by IV."
And Emily says that is something that cannot continue for very long "The biggest reason he needs the transplant - you can't live forever on IV nutrition." In fact, doctors told the Hoopes that without an intestinal transplant his life expectancy would be one to two years. While they are already beating the odds, they have had plenty of scares. "He'll look just fine and then an hour later were in the ER and the next couple hours we're talking about going into ICU. Then by morning he'll be fine again."
Patrick is not the only one child in need of a transplant. There are 13 other children in Utah who need a transplant and nationwide more than 1800. Patrick is on a list for a transplant at the Children's Hospital in Seattle, Washington and he is first in line in that region. While its good news for him and his family - it is not a guarantee.
The Hoopes knew what they were getting into when they adopted Patrick. They say knowing they could lose him didn't stop them then and it doesn't stop them now from enjoying every moment they have together. "You take everyday as you have it. We knew when we adopted him that we didn't now how long we would have him so we just try to make the best of the time we have."
The Hoopes say it will cost about 70 thousand dollars out of pocket for Patrick's transplant - and that is with good insurance.
Because of the enormous cost a local fund raising event is scheduled for Saturday May 22nd. To learn more about it and who is performing and to learn more about children and organ transplants click on the following websites.
www.cotaforpatrickh.com www.yesutah.org www.idslife.org/donation-i.php
