Toddler who died waiting for organ transplant 'always remembered as happy wee boy'

The family of a toddler who died while waiting for an organ transplant has pledged to continue to share his story to help those in need.

Zachary Bradford, from Kirkintilloch in East Dunbartonshire, was born prematurely at only 28 weeks in 2021.

During her ten-week pregnancy scan, his mum Jade was told her unborn son had an abdominal wall defect.

He went on to form a bowel outside of his body, which ended up perforating at 28 weeks and led to an emergency C-section.

Zachary Bradford was forced to take a liver from an adult donor on August 24, 2024. Supplied

Zachary had to be tube-fed, and he was then diagnosed with intestinal and liver failure, which put him on the transplant list.

After several unsuccessful matches, he had become too ill to wait for the correct size of donor required for the bowel transplant.

To survive acute liver failure, Zachary was forced to take a liver from an adult donor on August 24, 2024.

The operation was a success, but Zachary contracted sepsis at a critical moment in recovery, which severely damaged his new liver.

Zachary with his mum Jade and dad Rhys Supplied

His mum, in a bid to improve his odds of an organ match, made powerful videos on TikTok to raise awareness of child organ donation.

However, on January 2, Zachary died in his parents’ arms aged three.

Jade said her son’s story has impacted the lives of many across the globe and his fighting spirit and smiley nature will stay in the minds of loved ones.

She told STV News: “He’s touched so many hearts all over the world, not just in Scotland.

“No matter who he has met he has always been remembered. He will always be remembered for being a happy wee boy.

“The last three years have been both the happiest and saddest.” Supplied

“He was so strong and resilient despite what he was going through. Even during the hardest days, when he was in pain, he’d distract us.

“He was such a live wire. We’ve received messages from people saying Zachary’s story has changed their outlook on organ donation and life.

“It has made people appreciate every single day. Zachary will forever be in everyone’s hearts.”

The mum from Kirkintilloch believes life with her son has made her a better person and parent.

Jade said: “Zachary taught me not to be miserable about silly little things and to be kinder to myself and other people.

“He taught me how to become a mum. The last three years have been both the happiest and saddest.

“Zachary always fought, he always made it to the next Christmas and made it to our wedding.”

The family is going to continue sharing Zachary’s organ transplant journey to ensure that people around the world know how vital donations are for many waiting for life-changing operations.

There are around 260 children in the UK in need of a transplant.

According to NHS Blood and Transplant, there are 40 to 50 paediatric organ donors each year, and around 200 children receive organ transplants, which means five waiting for more than one organ.

Jade said: “No matter what Zachary will be the face of organ donation for as long as he needs to be.

“His story is about strength and the importance of organ donation. We want to continue telling his story.

“As much as it will be hard to read it will give us great comfort that people got the organs they need because of Zachary.

“It is still important to us Zachary received a liver which gave us an extra year together.”

A fundraiser has since been set up to ensure the “superhero” boy receives the send-off he deserves.

To find out more about the GoFundMe click here