Love is in the air at GPS for Nathan Martin!
DD Martin (former Business Developer for GPS in Camden) and her son Nate stopped by GPS Corporate on Tuesday for a visit and to collect old cell phones for Recycle for Life, Nate’s fundraiser for his kidney transplant. We just love this little ray of sunshine…Nater Tot!
Pictured below is Charlie Gallman with DD and Nate aka Nater Tot!
About Nathan Martin
With the cost of a transplant often exceeding $500,000, many transplant families are unable to shoulder the financial burden of such a procedure. The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) is a national charity dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-related expenses. In Sumter, volunteers are raising funds for COTA in honor of transplant patients like local boy, Nathan Martin.
Nathan is the son of DD and Matthew Martin. Born on September 9, 2008, Nathan was diagnosed with Kidney Failure. The doctors at MUSC Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina, have recommended a life-saving kidney transplant. An estimated $50,000 is being raised by Sumter volunteers.
About Nathan: Nathan was born in September of 2008, with a very rare condition called Elis Van Creveld. Many children do not survive birth with this condition because of the harsh respiratory and heart problems associated with it. While Nate spent almost 4 weeks in the NICU, his heart and lungs were in great condition. He has had to have a couple of surgeries, but otherwise he has been a very healthy little boy. Then, in May 2014, he very suddenly went into kidney failure, shocking his entire family. When he was admitted into the Children’s Hospital his blood pressure was 180/130! It was a very rough time for the family, but Nate was amazingly brave and so strong. He was in the hospital this time for 18 days. He is now on dialysis at home, and it is working well for him. He is able to go to school and is top of his class in reading. He makes his parents and older brother, Logan very proud.
Ultimately, Nathan needs a new kidney. His mom went through all the testing to donate hers, and was approved for transplant, but unfortunately is not a match for Nate. His dad has high BP, so is not able to donate. This means Nate is listed on the UNOS list. Also, his mom and he have entered into the exchange program. When the time comes for Nate to get his kidney, he will be down in Charleston for about a month, which is 2 hours from where they live.
He has a facebook page if you are interested in following him https://www.facebook.com/natertotsspot