Watch CBS News

Parents Of Toddler In Need Of Kidney Transplant Take Plea For Living Donor To Streets

ARCADIA (CBSLA.com) — The parents of a toddler with end-stage kidney failure are taking their plea for a living donor to the streets.

Neither of Eddie Beal's parents are a suitable match so they decided to attach a plea for B + blood-type living donors in stickers on the back of their vehicle.

The Beals posted the decals back in October but it wasn't until a photograph made its way onto social media that emails started pouring in.

"Over 50 emails in the last week," said Edward Beal, the child's father.

Eddie was born with only one kidney that is very low functioning. He is on dialysis every night.

His parents are often up at all hours, caring for him.

"There are days and nights that I've ... all I can do is just hold him and watch over him and pray that it gets easier for him,"

Eddie's only hope for a long and healthy life is a kidney transplant.

Recently, the way in which the waiting list is prioritized has changed and children in California now have to wait even longer.

"So, our anticipated wait is at least three years," said Beal.

Eddie's doctor, Rachel Lestz, the medical director of kidney transplant at Children's Hospital Los Angeles says California is one of the most competitive states for kidney transplants.

There are too many patients and not enough donors.

"In this year so far, there's been only 13 transplants done in children under 18, which is startling," Lestz said. "And here at Children's where we normally do 20 to 25 a year, we've only done
one transplant this year."

Despite his size, Lestz says Eddie can get a kidney from an adult.

"It is the ultimate gift. It is truly the debt that cannot be repaid," she said.

But Eddie's parents say they would spend their lives trying.

To find out more about being a living donor for Eddie, email: kid4eddie@gmail.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.