A 13-year-old Chilliwack boy recently diagnosed with chronic kidney disease is looking for a donor.

Madden Wicker-Vriend has a B次元官网网址渨hole plethoraB次元官网网址� of health problems, most since birth, said mom Eryn Wicker-Vriend.

But despite all of his issues, they had never experienced a medical B次元官网网址渃risisB次元官网网址� until his kidney failure, she said.

B次元官网网址淭he kidney issues are the ones that caught us the most off guard, or the most by surprise, because it was never even on the radar before.B次元官网网址�

He wasnB次元官网网址檛 even showing any symptoms.

It all started back at the beginning of January when Madden went for routine bloodwork. His creatinine levels were high, which was an indicator that his kidneys were not functioning properly.

B次元官网网址淭hey couldnB次元官网网址檛 really figure out why a kid his age, with no other markers of kidney problem, would have this high creatinine,B次元官网网址� Eryn said.

By the end of January he was told he had chronic kidney disease. In February, he had a biopsy done where doctors were looking for either scarring or broken down tubules. When they went to hear the results, Eryn could tell by the faces of the medical professionals in the room that it was not good news.

B次元官网网址淗e doesnB次元官网网址檛 have either of those things that we know of because the damage is so extensive and so advanced we canB次元官网网址檛 even pinpoint what caused it,B次元官网网址� she recalled the doctor saying.

The medical team said they had never seen a case like MaddenB次元官网网址檚 before.

Over the course of about two months, MaddenB次元官网网址檚 diet and medications changed and his kidney function dropped to about four per cent. He was put on a transplant list and was told he might have to have dialysis down the road.

B次元官网网址淲hen we saw them in April, (they said) B次元官网网址榃e need to refer you to the dialysis team now or weB次元官网网址檙e not going to make it to transplant before you start dialysis.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

Madden had catheter put in on May 10 and his mom and dad, Jesse, took training for two weeks to learn how to administer dialysis at home.

He started dialysis at BC ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital on May 18 while his parents were completing the training. Now dialysis is done at home from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. every single night.

Born prematurely with restricted growth, Madden was diagnosed with a lung disease, endocrine disorder, esophageal motility disease, among others. More recently, he has been diagnosed with MIRAGE syndrome, a rare and spontaneous genetic disorder discovered and named in 2016. This led to the addition of hematology and immunology clinics.

He is followed by eight different clinics at ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 and has spent hundreds of days there as an outpatient and inpatient. He has had countless procedures and surgeries and is on multiple medications and therapies.

B次元官网网址淏ut he has approached every health obstacle with a smile, and positive and laid back attitude,B次元官网网址� Eryn said. B次元官网网址淢adden is so compliant and so agreeable to everything single thing we ask him to do. He doesnB次元官网网址檛 fight, he never says B次元官网网址榥o.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淗e has a huge personality in a very small frame,B次元官网网址� she added. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 funny, exuberant, and brings a smile to all those who know him.B次元官网网址�

Now they are on the hunt for a living donor.

Eryn, whose blood type is A like MaddenB次元官网网址檚, is in the process of determining whether she can donate one of her kidneys to her son. But, the family is putting the call out for others to do the same to better their chances.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e looking for a donor. (Madden) can only have an adult kidney because you have to be the age of consent to be a donor.B次元官网网址�

People must be at least 19 years of age.

Although he just turned 13, Madden is the size of an average seven-year-old, and yes, an adult kidney can fit into his body.

The doctors will leave the failing kidneys intact and put the new one down in his pelvis in the peritoneal cavity, Eryn explained.

B次元官网网址淐hildren get top of the list for deceased donorsB次元官网网址� but weB次元官网网址檙e looking for a living donor because the outcomes are better with living donors.B次元官网网址�

It is a very complicated process to determine if someone is a match. The first step is to email donornurse@providencehealth.bc.ca. Folks will be required to fill out several forms on their health history and have bloodwork done.

It takes about four to six months for the workup where the donor to gets their kidney prepared and into the best possible health for the patient. The person might get declined at any point along the way.

Despite everything Madden has been through, he still goes to school B次元官网网址� heB次元官网网址檚 in Grade 7 at Vedder Middle School B次元官网网址� and stays active.

B次元官网网址淚 like to do video games, play outside, play Lego, play sports outside of school (like) baseball and hockey,B次元官网网址� he said.

He also likes art and reading and playing with his siblings Lexi, 12, Grayson, 10, and Hudson, 6.

And his favourite thing at school?

B次元官网网址淩ecess and lunchB次元官网网址� and leaving,B次元官网网址� Madden said with a smile.

Because of all of the medical appointments B次元官网网址� both for Madden and Eryn while she does the workup for potentially becoming a donor B次元官网网址� and travel to and from ChildrenB次元官网网址檚, money has been tight and will be even tighter after his transplant.

Their friend started a GoFundMe to help with expenses. They said they are grateful for all the support from family and friends.

For more on the living kidney donor program, email donornurse@providencehealth.bc.ca or go to .

To donate to the GoFundMe, go to .