6-Month-Old Waits for Second Chance at Life
Six-month-old Sam Chiporo is awaiting a life-saving liver transplant in July, as his parents, Carrie and Michael, seek fundraising support.
Six-month-old Sam Chiporo is awaiting a life-saving liver transplant in July, as his parents, Carrie and Michael, seek fundraising support.
The Munson Township couple always loved and wanted children. However, after trying for years to have a second child, they were told it was unlikely to happen.
Then, last August, they got pregnant.
“Sam is our miracle baby,” Carrie said. “He is the brother that his sister, Bella, 10, had always wanted and she adores him. He is such a happy baby, even though he is so sick, he always has a smile for us.”
Born “late preterm” at 36 weeks on Dec. 28, 2023, at a healthy 6 pounds and 2 ounces, Sam lost almost half a pound within days and could not gain weight.
He was diagnosed with a liver disease called Biliary Atresia.
“This used to kill babies before they hit 2 years old, but now, with surgery and sometimes, a transplant, the babies can live,” Carrie said. “He is a little fighter that just needs a little help to get stronger. Everyone loves him. You cannot help but smile when you see him. He is our world and a big part of our family.”
The couple recalled one of the scariest moments they had with him. They had started to add extra calories to his breastmilk and he was gaining weight.
“We thought we had everything figured out until one day, I went to pick him up from the nursery, after just one week there, and Sam was yellow,” Carrie said.
That day, Feb. 23, at just 8 weeks, Sam had his first surgery, called a Kasai procedure, to help his bile drain and to save his liver.
“During the Kasai procedure, a surgeon removes blocked bile ducts. Then, they use part of your baby’s small intestine to create a new path for bile to flow out of their liver,” according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Sam was doing well the first month after surgery, but then it became clear the liver was failing and the young fighter would need a lifesaving transplant.
As word spread of Sam needing a donor, the Chiporo family had more than 30 people from around the area offering to see if they could be his donor. Donors must be at least 18 years and older and must be a total match, Carrie said, adding the surgery would remove about 20-percent of the donor’s liver to give to Sam.
“This melted our hearts to know that so many people care. We love the community we live in,” said Carrie, who grew up in Chardon and whose daughter attends Chardon Middle School. “There are so many people coming together to save a little boy. We are so blessed. There are no words to express our gratitude.”
Currently, Sara Droese, a fellow teacher at Just “4” Kidz Childcare, is a possible match and Sam is scheduled to have the liver transplant July 15 at Cleveland Clinic, Carrie said.
The surgery will cost more than $800,000 and is covered by the couple’s medical insurance.
“But, we still have bills and back payments from the first surgery and no pay time off because of the maternity leave and the first two weeks in the hospital,” Carrie said, adding Sam will also need many medications and have to be out of daycare for months while he recovers, which means a loss of income.
So, Carrie and Michael find themselves leaning on the communities they’ve spent years helping.
Carrie, affectionately known as “Ms. Carrie,” is a toddler teacher at Just “4” Kidz Childcare in Hambden Township, where she has taught countless children during her 17-year tenure there. Michael works as nurse manager for Centers for Dialysis Care of Beachwood.
The couple is holding a Chinese auction July 6 from 10-11 a.m. at Just “4” Kidz Childcare, 13896 GAR Highway in Hambden.
Carrie said they are fortunate both workplaces are supportive.
“(Sam) has touched all our lives and is very special to us,” said Tina Prince, owner of Just “4” Kidz Childcare, where Sam started in their infant classroom at 7 weeks old.
“When we found out that he needed a liver transplant, we all wanted to help,” Prince said, adding they initiated the fundraiser.
“Carrie is a dedicated teacher and truly enjoys what she does for a living,” Prince said.
“Miss Carrie and her husband do everything for her family to make ends meet. Carrie does not miss work and this is very hard for her to take the time off. Sam is her number one priority and we want to help relieve some of the financial burden so she can spend as long as she needs with Sam.”
Carrie expressed gratitude for the support she’s received.
“Words cannot express the love we feel for everyone,” she said.
Tickets for the auction are six for $5, 12 for $10 and 24 for $20 and can be purchased during operational hours with all proceeds going to the family.
A Venmo account at Mmiller06 is set up for tickets/donations, or those interested in donating can contact Meredith Williams at 440-749-4337 or donations can be mailed directly to Carrie at Just “4” Kidz Childcare. Visit the J4K’s Facebook page or call 440-285-2221 for more information.
