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Grandmother to donate kidney to toddler with rare syndrome

A generous grandmother is giving up one of her kidneys in the hope her grandson can live a long and healthy life.

Two-year-old Kaije Archer has been unwell since he was born with congenital nephrotic syndrome, a rare disorder that causes the body to swell due to defective proteins in the kidney.

Kaije was flown from Tasmania to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne when he was just two days old. By day four he had his first kidney removed.

He has undergone two years of protein infusions three times a week, for four hours a day to keep him healthy.

Kaije Archer had a kidney removed at just four days old. Source: 7 News.
Kaije Archer had a kidney removed at just four days old. Source: 7 News.

"When push comes to shove with your own child you do whatever it takes really,” Greg Archer told 7 News.

"On his good days he's a normal kid, you wouldn't know any difference,” he added.

Kaije Archer gets protein infusions three days a week. Source: 7 News.
Kaije Archer gets protein infusions three days a week. Source: 7 News.

Now at two-and-a-half years old, he is big enough for a kidney transplant and will have have his remaining kidney taken out on Friday

After his operation Kaije will be kept alive on dialysis at the Royal Children's Hospital for six weeks until he receives a new kidney from his grandmother.

"She just stuck her hand up and said right I’m going to the doctor and that’s it,” Kaije’s mother Kateylyn Boon said of her own mother.

Kateylyn Boon's mother will donate one of her kidneys to her grandson Kaije. Source: 7 News.
Kateylyn Boon's mother will donate one of her kidneys to her grandson Kaije. Source: 7 News.

In February Kaije and his grandmother will have operations at two separate Melbourne hospitals, to give the toddler a new start in his young life.

His grandmother says she's just doing something for her grandson.

"She's always going to be in his life regardless and he's always going to have something to remember her by and thank her for,” Mr Archer said.

The family has left their Tasmanian home and will live at the Ronald McDonald House for at least three months, before Kaije is expected to be well enough to go home.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds for Kaije and the young family.

News break – January 5