Marcus Swan needs your help
Donation protected
Marcus Swan is 15 years old
At 10, he was he was diagnosed with HSP (Hencoh-Schonlein Purpura) which took 9 months to get under control.
Marcus was an active child. He was your typical child who swam twice a week, obtained his black belt in taekwondo when he was 10 , and was a budding basketball player. When this virus took such a hold he had to stop all activities.
At this time his mum, Fran was working as a Project manager for a building company but had to resign. It was at this time Fran decided to do a Bachelor of Exercise Sport Science, which lead into Physiotherapy.
which would give her the flexibility to work and take care of Marcus and her other children, Ashley (now 12), Bobby (10) & Beau (8).
In 2014, the family moved to Maidstone & Fran started working as a trainer at Spotswood Football Club & Marcus running water for Seniors & Reserves while playing junior football in the Under 15 side. He is also a constant helper around the club doing any jobs he can possibly help with.
At the end of the year he had another kidney biopsy, which meant he would miss the pre-season, which would put him behind the eight ball once again. So he decided to do umpiring, so that he could stay connected to the game.
However, in July this year, his kidney specialist decided to change his medication, in hope that it would improve his energy levels.
It was this change in medication that caused a lapse in his protection against the virus. After a kidney biopsy, the news was devasting. There was no healthy kidney cells left and he was having acute kidney failure
Currently he is having dialysis three days a week They do not know where to go from here other than a transplant.
For Marcus to have a transplant he requires a donor, either a living or deceased. The waiting list for a deceased can be up to 5 years, at which point he will be considered an adult and be dropped down the list of people waiting for donors. Currently Fran and Marcus's grandmother are being tested as possible matches for kidney donation. However this process can take any where between 2 months and 12 months.
In order for Marcus to have his transplant it is advised that any orthodontic work that is required be started if not completed before he has a transplant, as there is an increased risk of infection if the work is done after transplant. For this to happen he needs two teeth removed, and this cant be done until he is more stable. Once this is done he can have his braces. If he requires a transplant while he has his braces, they will be removed and reapplied after surgery.
Unfortunately, this has impacted the family significantly, Fran cannot work at all as Marcus is having dialysis three times a week and will need to have 2 more surgeries one to put in a permanent line for dialysis in and one to remove his permacath. This process will see him in hospital for up to six weeks. However he cant have any surgery until he is well enough.
This also limits Marcus ability to go to school. He is doing a one hour class in the hospital and have planned for him to attend two days a week, if he feels well enough. However, school is on the back burner for at least the next 6 to 18 months.
This is a very difficult time for not only Marcus & Fran but for Marcus's siblings who look up to him as a father figure.
At 10, he was he was diagnosed with HSP (Hencoh-Schonlein Purpura) which took 9 months to get under control.
Marcus was an active child. He was your typical child who swam twice a week, obtained his black belt in taekwondo when he was 10 , and was a budding basketball player. When this virus took such a hold he had to stop all activities.
At this time his mum, Fran was working as a Project manager for a building company but had to resign. It was at this time Fran decided to do a Bachelor of Exercise Sport Science, which lead into Physiotherapy.
which would give her the flexibility to work and take care of Marcus and her other children, Ashley (now 12), Bobby (10) & Beau (8).
In 2014, the family moved to Maidstone & Fran started working as a trainer at Spotswood Football Club & Marcus running water for Seniors & Reserves while playing junior football in the Under 15 side. He is also a constant helper around the club doing any jobs he can possibly help with.
At the end of the year he had another kidney biopsy, which meant he would miss the pre-season, which would put him behind the eight ball once again. So he decided to do umpiring, so that he could stay connected to the game.
However, in July this year, his kidney specialist decided to change his medication, in hope that it would improve his energy levels.
It was this change in medication that caused a lapse in his protection against the virus. After a kidney biopsy, the news was devasting. There was no healthy kidney cells left and he was having acute kidney failure
Currently he is having dialysis three days a week They do not know where to go from here other than a transplant.
For Marcus to have a transplant he requires a donor, either a living or deceased. The waiting list for a deceased can be up to 5 years, at which point he will be considered an adult and be dropped down the list of people waiting for donors. Currently Fran and Marcus's grandmother are being tested as possible matches for kidney donation. However this process can take any where between 2 months and 12 months.
In order for Marcus to have his transplant it is advised that any orthodontic work that is required be started if not completed before he has a transplant, as there is an increased risk of infection if the work is done after transplant. For this to happen he needs two teeth removed, and this cant be done until he is more stable. Once this is done he can have his braces. If he requires a transplant while he has his braces, they will be removed and reapplied after surgery.
Unfortunately, this has impacted the family significantly, Fran cannot work at all as Marcus is having dialysis three times a week and will need to have 2 more surgeries one to put in a permanent line for dialysis in and one to remove his permacath. This process will see him in hospital for up to six weeks. However he cant have any surgery until he is well enough.
This also limits Marcus ability to go to school. He is doing a one hour class in the hospital and have planned for him to attend two days a week, if he feels well enough. However, school is on the back burner for at least the next 6 to 18 months.
This is a very difficult time for not only Marcus & Fran but for Marcus's siblings who look up to him as a father figure.
Organizer
Jenny Walshe
Organizer
Williamstown, VIC