Queensland shows support for Max

Tuesday, 02 February 2010 10:36

Local boy Maximus McGrath-Daniels, who is heading to Brisbane for a liver transplant, has received a flood of support and well-wishes after his plight was featured on the front-page of the Torres News.
The heartfelt story, written for the Torres News by Max’s grandmother Carol Thompson, was picked up by the state-wide Courier-Mail newspaper, which prominently featured Max’s story in two editions.
Among many calls from well-wishes and offers of help, the Queensland Police has rung to offer a police escort and help carry the bank of blue lights Max needs to survive until a liver becomes available for transplant.
Max, who was diagnosed at birth with a genetic liver disease call Crigler-Najjar Syndrome (CNS) Type I, must spend 10 hours every day under a bank of blue lights to keep him alive.
Max is one of only five children in Australia with CNS Type I. Now, at eight years of age, Max’s skin is increasing in thickness as he gets older, so the blue-light phototherapy is no longer as effective as it was previously, forcing the need for a liver transplant.
Max may have to wait up to 18 months for the liver transplant and will attend school in Brisbane, with mother Carrie Ann accompanying her son. They left for Brisbane last Friday.
“We have to be living in Brisbane to be eligible for a liver transplant. The Torres Strait is too remote,” Carrie Ann told the Courier-Mail.
“If Max has a successful liver transplant, he will be able to live a normal life,” she said.

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