Allan is on top of the world now after his father, Allan Snr, donated one of his kidneys to save his son’s life.
By Shaun Inguanzo
ALLAN Vince senior and Allan Vince junior share more than just their names – they also share a kidney.
The father and son duo are also hoping to share smiles courtesy of the Starlight Children’s Foundation, which is working to grant Allan Jnr his wish of meeting pop band the Young Divas.
There was no questioning the Dandenong North father’s love for his son when Allan Jnr, now 7, underwent a kidney transplant three years ago.
Grandparents and relatives lined up to offer their kidneys but to no avail, as thorough tests proved theirs were incompatible with Allan Jnr.
But Allan Snr received the green light to again give his child the gift of life.
Allan Jnr’s mother Mary-Ann Klement said her son’s dysplastic kidney disorder meant his original kidneys had shrivelled up.
Prior to his transplant, Allan Jnr was hooked up to a dialysis machine to clean his blood three times a week for three hours each visit.
“It was heart-wrenching for us to see our own child go through the blood tests and operation,” she said.
Allan Jnr now requires an operation to enlarge his bladder to cater for the new kidney.
There is also the inevitability of Allan Jnr needing another kidney because of the short lifespan of transplanted kidneys.
“That one kidney works for the two he lost,” Mary-Ann said.
“The new one will last between 10 to 15 years, depending on how well it works, so he has to be closely monitored.”
Allan Snr said he felt a closer bond with his son knowing his kidney was keeping the youngster alive, but admitted the family was concerned about the next kidney transplant.
“It’s just that everything was compatible and I was able to donate this time around,” he said.
“A few other people tried, including our parents, but they all had difficulties so they weren’t able to be donors.
“That leaves Mary-Ann as she hasn’t been tested.
“But if not, Allan might have to go on a waiting list and back on dialysis.”
Fortunately, Allan Jnr’s attention has been focused on the present, thanks to the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
The family is waiting to hear from Starlight if Allan Jnr’s wish to meet pop band the Young Divas will be granted.
The Vince family said Starlight’s work so far had brought smiles to their faces, purely because Allan Jnr was so happy.
“It would bring joy to him to meet the Young Divas, and it would be good for us to see him so happy and enjoying the moment,” Allan Snr said.
“Because he has had a rough little patch, and he doesn’t know any different.”
The Starlight Children’s Foundation is urging the community to donate to its major annual fundraiser, Star Day, which falls on Friday, 4 May this year.
The foundation is hoping to raise $2.2 million this year to continue granting seriously ill children their wishes.
The donate visit www.starlight.org.au or call 1300 727 827.
