Dad's Parole Violation Keeps Him From Donating Kidney To 2-Year-Old Son

ATLANTA, GA — Two-year-old Anthony Burgess was born without both kidneys and has been fighting since the day he was born. His father, Anthony Dickerson, who is a perfect match to donate a kidney to Anthony Jr. (AJ), has had a few brushes with the law that are now preventing him from donating the kidney.

Dickerson was arrested on Sept. 28 on charges of possession of a firearm and fleeing or attempting to elude police, said Shannon Volkodav of the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office, according to the Washington Post. He was already on probation at the time.

Personnel at the Emory University Hospital sent a letter to the jail, explaining that Dickerson was scheduled to donate a kidney to his son and requesting that arrangements be made to transport him to the hospital for a pre-surgery appointment.

Watch: Dad's Parole Violation Keeps Him From Donating Kidney To 2-Year-Old Son

Carmella Burgess, AJ's mother, provided authorities with documentation showing that Dickerson was scheduled to donate the kidney on Oct. 3, the Post reported.

Dickerson was released on Oct. 2 on $1,000 bond, according to the Post. Then, the hospital made a decision that upset Burgess.

“We will reevaluate Mr. Dickerson in January 2018 after receipt of his completed documentation,” it wrote in a letter, stating that Dickerson had to comply with his parole requirements for three months before he would be allowed to donate the kidney.

“It's about my son,” Burgess told WXIA. “He's been through a lot. It's like we've been waiting on this. And Dad making a mistake shouldn't affect what he wants to do with our son.”

"Emory Healthcare is committed to the highest quality of care for its patients. Guidelines for organ transplantation are designed to maximize the chance of success for organ recipients and minimize risk for living donors," the hospital said in a statement, according to CBS. It also noted it can't speak about this case specifically due to confidentiality policies.

Amid the complications, there has been an outpouring of support for AJ Burgess on the GoFundMe page that Carmella set up. In three days, people have so far donated and pledged $5,110 out of the $7,000 goal.

"[AJ] has been fighting for his life since the day he came into this world. Due to this I have been unable to keep a stable job because of numerous doctor's appointments and the smallest thing causing him to end up back and forth to the hospital. I am just trying to get some financial stability because I still have to provide for all of my kids as well as myself," she writes on the page.

One commenter on the GoFundMe page offered AJ her kidney so long as they match. "I don't know if I am able but I wouldn't mind giving this angel my Kidney if I can be a match. Please send me any information and I will look into it!" she said.

Another commenter said she could not donate financially but could potentially donate her kidney as well if they are a match, even leaving her phone number on the page.

Article image via GoFundMe