Albany County Correctional Facility for Children's Benefit Albany NY

"Buddy" Highlighted in Boston Children's Hospital transplant brochure 1 year after Triple Transplant

Matthew "Buddy" LaFontaine age 14, 1 year after triple transplant

Congratulations Buddy from all of us @ ACCF For Children's Benefit, we wish you continued health!

E-mail update from Buddy LaFontaine's mom to President John Smith 09-25-09

Sent: Friday, September 25, 2009 8:51 PM

Subject: Re: Make a Difference Today

"Thank you so much, John,,,,I don't know if we ever told you it was a genetic disease,,,so all 4 kids had to be tested,,,poor Buddy,,,just breaks my heart,,,,as with anything genetic, you don't know to look for it with the first one,,,,by the time he was diagnosed,,,it was just too late,,my second son, Tyler is not out of the woods entirely,,,,as one of the awful aspects of this disease is you can have no symptoms one day,,then crash into kidney failure he next,,but they don't expect that to happen,,,,there is some medical intervention that can be done with him to hopefully hold this thing off,,,,so we are very happy for all our kids,,,,Buddy is doing so very well,,,( and i can't say it enough,,,your help contributed to his recovery so much and still does,,,,you removed such an immeasurable amount of stress for us ) Tyler is ok at this point,,and my youngest 2 don't have the disease,,,,thank God,,,I do know of a family where 3 of their 4 kids have all had combined liver/kidney transplants like Buddy,,,,so we know how lucky we are in so many ways,,,,
I hope that all is well with you,,,and thank you again so much for your kindnesses to us,,,,in words,,and deeds,,,,,
all the best to you, as always,,,
Dee

E-mail w/ photos to ACCFCB from Dee (mom of Matthew "Buddy" LaFontaine- triple transplant recipient)

 

Dr. Kim Transplant surgeon @ Boston Children's Hospital w/ Buddy after successful surgery

 

Buddy w/ support of little brother Patrick in Boston for check up.

 

Dialysis 6 days/ week, 4 hours per evening prior to transplant to keep Buddy alive

 

Successful Triple Transplant Surgery Recovery @ Boston Children's Hospital w/ mom @ his side

Hi John,

Well,first, how are you?? I can't ever say enough how totally, completely grateful to you (ACCFCB) all of us are for your help,,,,due to your endless support and generosity,,,,you contributed so much to his recovery,,,,as I've said to you so many times,,,can't say it enough,,I couldn't even begin to imagine what we would have done without you,,,,my mind couldn't even "go there" while he was still in the hospital, as I was overwhelmed with worry,,,,and the absolutely terrifying future worry of what in the world we would do with his required out patient stay and the subsequent trips to Boston,,,,,

Anyway,,here is a wonderful pic of Buddy with Dr. Kim, the brilliant doctor who gave my son his life,,,,,,and some other pics,,,,,and I hope not too upsetting pic of this Dr. Kim's work...

Then,,some wonderful "after" pics,,,,,I remember wanting a pic of Dr.Kim with Buddy days after his transplant,,and doc said he wanted to wait until Buddy was up and around,,,and now I see why,,,,,

Hope things are well with you,,,,and thank you again with all of our hearts,,,,
Best, as always
Dee (Buddy's mom)

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Hi Dee,

 

Thank you for the updates and the photos!

I plan to update his part of our web site with a couple of the photos soon. What a blessing his situation has turned out to be. Your son as well as your family deserves a lot of credit for handling the situation as well as you have.

 

It certainly makes us feel good knowing the impact that our organization has in such delicate situations as yours.

 

Thank you very much for the feedback, I will share it with our group.

 

Sincerely,

John R Smith, President ACCFCB

Update on Buddy from Dad 07-07-2009

From: Lafontaine, Matthew D.

To: John R Smith

Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 2:22 PM

Subject: RE: Buddy LaFontaine

Hi John! All is well. Buddy just had his 6 month anniversary check up in Boston and is doing fine. Now the trip to Boston is once a month and to Albany Med once a month.  Technology has come a long way. Sorry we missed the fund raiser. If anything, our thoughts where there. Even though I stink at golf, I would like to gather a foursome for next year please. Matt

 

From: John R Smith

To: Matt Lafontaine

Hi Matt, We are sooooo glad to hear that Buddy is doing well. You're absolutely right- technology has come a long way. Thank you for the update and the fantastic news, we will share it with our supporters they'll love to hear it! Sincerely, John  P.S. Don't feel too bad, I stink at golf too, smile....

Matthew "Buddy" LaFontaine

 

Matthew "Buddy" LaFontaine, age 13 was diagnosed in April 2002 with Primary Hyperoxaluria Type I. This is a rare genetic condition of too much oxalate (salt form of acid) present in the urine causing kidney stones/ kidney failure which eventually required a transplant operation.
 
On January 22, 2009, Buddy courageously underwent a triple transplant surgery replacing his Liver and both Kidneys @ Boston Children's Hospital which would not have been possibly without the generosity of the unknown organ donor. 
 
At this writing he is doing very well and ACCFCB will continue to assist Buddy and his family through their ongoing financial and emotional ordeal.     

A message from mom regarding her son Buddy to ACCFCB: Download Buddy LaFontaine's Mom's Letter Regarding Her Son