Kyree's Story

We are so honored and excited to introduce you to our December featured child, Kyree Ana Beachem. Kyree is an 8 years old girl with an amazing smile & personality. Kyree was born

with Hirschsprung's disease. Hirschsprung's disease occurs in newborns when nerves cells are missing in the muscle of the colon. Consequently, Hirschsprung affects the large intestines.

 

Kyree has been awaiting a multi-organ transplant for five years. She needed a liver, pancreas and intestinal transplants to survive. Thankfully and by the grace of God, Kyree's mom, Nan Beachem received the long awaited call and Kyree was wheeled into the operating room on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 for a triple transplant that lasted more than 12 hours.

 

This is not Kyree's first transplant. In January 2010, the Pennsylvania youth received an isolated small bowel transplant; however, 10 days later her body rejected it and was completely dependent on IV nutrition 22 hrs. a day. This has led to liver failure. The liver failure also led to severe bleeding issues. Things were getting more dire and Kyree was in and out of the hospital numerous times due to bleeding and other complications.

 

"Three months later, she was relisted for small bowel transplant but as time went on, and her liver had increased damage, she then needed multiple organ transplants," explains Nan Beachem. With Kyree's worsening condition, a donor was found and Kyree was quickly taken into surgery early Wednesday morning.

 

At 2 a.m., Kyree went into the operating room at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UMPC. Kyree received a pancreas, liver and small bowel. According to Rick Lofgren, the president of Children's Organ Transplant Association, multi-organ transplants are rare and Kyree's combination of transplants is even rarer.

Lofgren stated in a recent interview: "That type of transplant is very rare. Most transplants are going to be a single kidney, a heart, a lung maybe a liver transplant...To get the combination of the liver, the small bowel and the pancreas, that is even more rare."

 

Some are calling Kyree's triple transplant a "miracle."

 

Kyree is just one face of many children awaiting organ donation. Kyree's mom Nan, stated that the question she was asked most was....Can I donate part of my organs to help give her a second chance at life? Mom Nan stated that this question was a source of amazement to her and an inspiration... That someone would put their own life on hold to give her the gift of life. UNFORTUNATELY.... The answer was no. In Kyree's case, her organ donor had to be a non-living donor of similar size and blood type. Mom Nan stated, "It hurts me to even say that, more so imagine it. I'm a parent... I don't want anyone to lose their child!!!

Thanks to another loving family and their compassion for others, Kyree's mom received that long awaited call that her daughter would be receiving her miracle. Kyree's mom posted this to the donor family on a recent update on her Facebook page just after hearing the news that a donor was found.

 

"I have waited to post this all day. After 5 years of waiting, Kyree was given a second chance at life. She is currently in the operating room receiving her multi-organ transplant!!!! I am in tears as I write this. There is a family that has suffered the greatest loss a parent can experience, and in the midst of that loss is giving my daughter a chance to live and fulfill her dreams. This is going to be a LONG road, Kyree has the strongest will to live a full life. Never in my wildest dreams, did I think that so many people would want to follow our journey, but this Dream Team has completely amazed me. I sincerely mean this.... Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I ask that you please remember the family that is hurting so badly with the loss they have experienced this week, and be thankful for the little things in life, that really aren't little at all."

Please spread the word about organ donation and share Kyree's page, in hopes that another child will be given a chance to live a full and happy life, if a family is faced with a decision to donate life. The family is asking for continued prayers, support and love for both Kyree during her healing process and for the precious donor family as well.

Mom Nan says that Kyree faces each obstacle with the most positive attitude and smile. She is truly one of the strongest kids you will meet. She has a passion and love of life. There are so many other children and adults that are fighting this fight; she's just doing it the best way she knows how. 

The family has set up a page for donations. Please consider helping the family with the cost of the medical bills from Kyree's surgery as she continues toward her road to recovery. Any monetary help you can give toward expenses not paid would be greatly appreciated.

 

Click on the above buttons to follow links to Kyree's Facebook and donation pages. 

 

Website
http://dt.gofund.me/kyree

https://www.gofundme.com/kyree

For more on Kyree's story please visit her Facebook page at: Kyree's Dream Team
New Dream Team members are welcome.
https://www.facebook.com/KyreesDream/

 

Many have inquired about sending Kyree a card. If you feel led to do that, she will enjoy them when she starts to feel better. The address is: PO Box 490. Ellwood City, PA 16117. If you prefer to send an ecard, there is a free service of the hospital.

ecards.upmc.com Kyree at Children’s Hospital in PICU.

 

Organ Donation 
Giving the gift of Life
Become an organ donor: 
http://donatelife.net/