Aidan Baldukas is a 22-year-old who was diagnosed with Hepatocellular liver cancer (stage 3) in October 2020. At the end of September 2020, Aidan had a dental procedure and this resulted in an infection. While we were treating his infection at urgent care, they scanned Aidan’s stomach. Within 30 minutes after the scan began, our world changed. We were told that Aidan had a very large tumor on his liver and we had to head to the University of Wisconsin Hospital for further treatment.

Aidan is full of love and joy and absolutely overflowing with personality. He has a wonderful supportive family and friends that have navigated the uncertainty of Fragile X with grace, humility and humor. Aidan has not always had an easy life, but the last year has been especially difficult. In addition to battling liver cancer, Aidan has Fragile X syndrome, which affects him with some cognitive impairment and mild physical differences. Aidan has never allowed either Fragile X or liver cancer to limit him with loving life and the people around him. Aidan lives outside of Madison, Wisconsin, with his parents Kathleen and Dean. Aidan has two brothers Teddy (18) and Nick (24) and two beautiful dogs, Clio and Charlie. In December 2020, it was determined that his tumor cannot be removed and Aidan would need a liver transplant. In the past year, multiple family members and friends have been evaluated for a live-donor liver transplant, but so far we have not been able to find a perfect match for Aidan.

In October 2021, we traveled to Pittsburgh, PA to meet with the Transplant Team at UPMC and we finally walked away with some hope. At UPMC, the liver team is re-evaluating previously screened donors and we are anxiously awaiting an approved donor, so we can set up surgery.

We are projecting out the costs involved with his upcoming transplant. We do have health insurance to cover the actual surgery and follow up. As we research the entire process from the surgery, recovery and a life change for all his medical needs, it has become overwhelming. As a family we are prepared to do whatever it takes to get our ‘Superman’ feeling better. This will involve moving to Pittsburgh for several months and return trips for follow up after his transplant. We have set aside some savings to help us through this huge challenge, but we also know that will be used up quickly. Our social worker at UPMC informed us about some fundraising agencies and we have elected to sign up with COTA to assist us with transplant-related expenses as it seems to be the best route. Please consider donating to COTA for Team Aidan.

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.