Zachary is a 16-year-old junior in the Mexico School District. He loves riding his four-wheeler, dirt bike, fishing, camping, and has a natural talent for mechanics. He’s a hardworking, outdoors-loving teenager with big dreams.    

For the past seven years, Zach has been dealing with severe abdominal pain after nearly every meal. Early on, doctors encouraged lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier, exercising more, and being more active, unaware that something far more serious was happening inside his body. As the years passed, the pain became constant and exhausting, forcing Zach to miss school and preventing him from participating in sports and other school activities. Along with the pain, he has endured chronic fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and abdominal tenderness. 

Zach has undergone countless tests and procedures, routine bloodwork every three to six months, multiple endoscopic procedures, colonoscopies, biopsies, MRCPs, HIDA scans, MRIs, and CT scans -yet answers remained elusive. 

The turning point in Zach’s journey was when the family moved to Louisiana, and Zach was hospitalized for an intestinal illness. A physician experienced in pancreatic disease became involved in his care and ordered genetic testing. The testing revealed Zach is a carrier of the Cystic Fibrosis gene, ultimately identifying the cause of his condition: chronic pancreatitis. This condition is seldom seen in children. 

Eventually, the family moved back to New York, and local specialists acknowledged they had never seen a case like Zach’s. Because of the long delay in diagnosis, his pancreas has suffered significant and irreversible scarring. Zach was referred to a highly specialized team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, one of the few facilities in the country that treats complex pediatric pancreatic cases. The facility is an eight-hour drive from his home in New York. 

Zach and his Mom traveled from New York to Ohio twice, each visit lasting a week, for extensive evaluations and procedures. After careful consideration, his medical team determined that the only option for long-term relief is a major surgery known as TPIAT (Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Autotransplantation). 

The complex, 12-hour surgery involves the removal of Zachary’s pancreas, gallbladder, spleen, and appendix. His pancreas will then be sent to a specialized laboratory where any remaining healthy islet cells will be extracted and transplanted into his liver in hopes that it will continue producing insulin. Zach will remain hospitalized for approximately three weeks following surgery, followed by another three weeks at a medical facility for intensive recovery and care. 

Understanding Chronic Pancreatitis

The Pancreas is essential for digestion and blood sugar regulation. While inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury, chronic pancreatitis does not heal. Over time, it causes permanent damage and scarring and can lead to severe complications, including kidney failure, breathing problems, infections, malnutrition, osteoporosis, diabetes, and even pancreatic cancer.

Because his pancreas will be removed, Zachary will become diabetic and will rely on an insulin pump for the rest of his life. While this is a significant adjustment, it also represents hope for a future without constant pain and the chance to live the active, fulfilling life every teenager deserves. 

How can you help

While insurance will cover part of Zach’s surgery, the remaining medical expenses, travel costs, extended hospital stays, medications, diabetic supplies, and lifelong care will place a tremendous financial burden on our family. 

That’s why we’ve partnered with The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA).  COTA is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to helping children and young adults who need life-saving transplants by providing fundraising assistance and family support.  100% of every donation made to COTA in honor of Zach helps cover transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are provided at no cost to families, and all contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.  To learn more about COTA click on the following link. The Partner You Need Every Step of the Way | COTA

Thank you for loving Zach, sharing his story, and rallying around him on this journey through COTA. Your generosity brings hope, healing, and the promise of a brighter future.