Weston James McCulley Whitlock surprised us with a slightly early debut on October 3, 2019. Since then, he has continued to surprise us with his strength and spirited personality. Unfortunately, the severity of his kidney disease was also a surprise.

Shortly after birth, Weston was rushed to Dell Children’s Hospital NICU. During his two-week stay at the NICU, we learned that Weston had developed a posterior urethral valve (PUV) blocking his urinary tract in utero. Due to his blocked urinary tract, Weston suffered damage to his bladder, ureters, and kidneys before birth. It is here we learned that Weston would be a candidate for a kidney transplant. Here is where our lives forever changed.

Official diagnosis after birth: Chronic Kidney Disease

• Posterior Urethral Valve
• Congenital Hydronephrosis
• vesicoureteric reflux
• Kidney – Dysplastic
• Hyperkalemia
• Hyperphosphatemia
• Renovascular Hypertension

Since birth, we have learned that Weston’s left kidney has less than 10% function, and his right kidney has better function but a “tortuous ureter with a capacious system.” Meaning, that ultimately, his right kidney will also lose more function than it already has. Weston’s kidney disease has progressed from stage 1 to stage 2, but overall, he is doing well.

Here is a picture of his one little kidney working hard during his MAG 3 scan.

Although Weston is strong, he will inevitably need a life-saving kidney transplant.

Until that day, Weston is staying busy. He loves to eat, play with his doggies, bond with his siblings, and be outside! His big brother, Wyatt, and sister, Baylee, are incredibly supportive and loving. Weston welcomed a little sister, Mackenzie, in July!  Mommy and Daddy could not be prouder of Weston. He is a total rock star and never ceases to amaze us. 

 As you can imagine, organ transplants are quite expensive. This is especially true for families like ours who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. We are grateful to be able to partner with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) to raise funds in honor of Weston to assist with transplant-related expenses.  

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. What makes COTA special is that COTA will stay with Weston and be there to support his medical journey his entire life. Kidney transplant patients typically need more than one transplant in a lifetime. COTA will help Weston for many years to come.

100% of each contribution made to COTA in honor of Weston helps with transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are free to families like the Whitlock’s, and gifts to COTA are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

If able, please consider donating to COTA in honor of Weston. 100% of your donation goes towards transplant-related expenses. We are immensely grateful to Weston’s Warriors, our family, friends, and community members, for the outpouring of love and continuous support!