Oswaldtwistle boy, 7, receives kidney transplant from dad

Shaemus Flood from Oswaldtwistle, was born with Jeune’s syndrome, a form of congenital dwarfism.

People with the condition are susceptible to liver and kidney disease, as well as respiratory symptoms.

When Shaemus developed stage five kidney disease, his family was initially able to perform dialysis at home, but this could take up to 13 hours a day.

This lasted four years, until Shaemus required hemodialysis, a hospital treatment in which a machine filters wastes, salts and fluid from the blood when the kidneys are no longer healthy enough to do this work adequately.

So for 10 months, Shaemus' family was required to travel from their home Oswaldtwistle, to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool up to seven times a week - a journey of more than 40 miles each way, which took up to two hours daily. 

Shaemus Flood with father Kieran Flood, mother Sarah Flood and little sister Josephine with some of the renal team at Alder Hey Hospital (Image: PA)

Shaemus’ consultant, paediatric nephrologist Dr Caroline Jones, said: “Although dialysis is an incredible life-saving method it can only perform up to 10 per cent of kidney function and therefore children may often feel unwell and have restrictions to what they can eat and how much they can drink.

“It is also not a permanent solution and can be very time consuming for children and their families.

“Although a kidney transplant needs to be well looked after with regular medical check ups and medication children feel much better, can attend school more regularly and eat and drink more freely.

“We’ve been busy preparing Shaemus for a new kidney, we had to wait until he was big enough and strong enough.”

During his treatment, Shaemus’ mother and father, Sarah and Kieran Flood, were tested to see if their kidneys were compatible with their son’s.

Luckily, Mr Flood was found to be a perfect match, with the kidney transplant procedure carried out at Manchester Children’s Hospital on January 11.

Shaemus has since returned to Alder Hey, with him and his father now recovering well after the life-changing surgery.

Mrs Flood said she is looking forward to spending more time together as a family at home.

“It’s so peculiar not to be at Alder Hey every day,” she added. “We’re hoping Shaemus can go back to school soon.

“The renal team have been amazing, without them and Caroline, we don’t think he’d be with us today.

“Shaemus’ favourite person is his little sister Josephine who has just turned one, they’re best friends. We can’t wait to spend more time together at home as a family.

“We’re so grateful Kieran was a match, this isn’t always the case for a lot of families and this is why registering for organ donation is so important.”