Kade McGarrett White was due on July 1, 2016; however he decided to come six and a half weeks early. Kade was born on Tuesday May 17, 2016 at 4lbs. 14oz. and 17.5 inches long. While in his mother, Kara’s womb, doctors noticed that the umbilical cord only had two vessels instead of three.

After Kade was born, with his mother at his bed side, Kade spent five and a half weeks in the NICU at Magees Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. Kade spent his early days on oxygen, CPap, a heart monitor, hours spent under the billirubon light, along with other sensors and leads.

Approximately one week after Kade was born doctors noticed some unusual characteristics about my precious little boy. He had a wide bridged nose, extra small hands, short fingers, a small diaphragm, and rib abnormalities. After running some tests and consulting with colleagues, doctors diagnosed baby Kade with a genetic disorder called IFT 140 -Short Rib Thorasic Dysplasia, rib abnormalities and, as mentioned prior, a small diaphragm.

IFT 140 is a rare disease. Along with the features listed above children with IFT 140 disease are known to be short statured and have large heads.  This unfortunate disease caused Kade to have chronic kidney and chronic lung disease, which not only made it a requirement to be on oxygen after discharge, but has put Kade in respiratory distress multiple times.

At almost 4 years of age this sweet, perfect, funny, stubborn, smart little boy is running crazy and loves playing with his sister Brinnley.  Kade is a mama’s boy and has such an amazing personality.  He is strong willed, but will always put a smile on your face.

At a 2019 nephrology appointment Kade’s mom, Kara, was informed that Kade’s kidney function was quickly declining.  In January 2019 Kade’s kidney function was 75%, and by June it had gone down to 50%.  With the information about the health risks of declining kidney function, Kara and Kade plugged along.  The end of October found his kidney function at 40%.  At this point Dr. Ho listed our options and begin to talk about dialysis/transplant when kidney function hits 20%.

A few short weeks later, this became a reality for Kade.  At an appointment on December 11, his kidney function hit a low of 25%, two weeks later it was 18%.  On January 8, 2020 Kade got admitted to the hospital due to potassium levels of 7.7, which are extremely high and dangerous.

Kara and Kade are currently waiting for a kidney transplant.  Kara has begun the evaluations and hopes to be the match to bless her precious little boy with one of her kidneys.

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) helps children and young adults who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support. COTA is the nation’s only fundraising organization solely dedicated to raising life-saving dollars in honor of transplant-needy children and young adults. 100% of each contribution made to COTA in honor of our patients helps meet transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are free to our families, and gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.