Local toddler finds kidney match

(ABC 6 NEWS) – After 18 months of waiting Tarkenton Cunningham, a Rochester boy, found a kidney match. His transplant surgery was last month. Tarkenton was born with chronic kidney disease as well as some other conditions that have required the 18-month-old to have at least eight surgeries since being born.

His dad, Tad Cunningham, said he’s recovering well. It’s been around one month since the transplant, and Tarkenton now enjoys eating food and doing activities he couldn’t do before — like meeting Santa. Tarkenton’s mom and dad said he’s a fighter and overcame many health issues to get a healthy kidney.

"We adjust things. We do what we can to make it safer for him. But I don’t want him to miss out on things just cause he’s got a kidney transplant. I don’t know, I feel like every week that goes by you just breathe that little bit easier," Tad said.

The family is grateful that they were able to find a transplant quickly, but still want to encourage people to consider becoming organ donors.