Born on August 8, 2006, Bryce was born six weeks premature at PCMH in Greenville, NC and diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease upon birth due to congenital deformity of his kidneys called bilateral hypoplastic kidneys meaning his small kidneys were unable to effectively remove toxins from his body on their own.  Requiring peritoneal dialysis and other medical interventions to live since three days old, he spent the first six months of his life at PCMH in the PICU and remaining month of hospitalization at UNC Children's Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC, total of 7 months in the hospital.  He fought a daily battle to survive.  Bryce came home for the first time on February 27, 2007 and his parents have been able to sucessfully maintain his condition at home until a life-saving kidney transplant can take place at UNC Chapel Hill Children's Hospital. 

     Bryce has been cared for by one of the best healthcare teams in N.C. at UNC Children's Hospital.  For almost two years, he has received 12 hours of nightly dialysis as he grew bigger and stronger.  Bryce was placed on the national kidney transplant list in August 2007 inactively until he reached the weight requirement of 22 lbs in January 2008 to be active on the transplant list.  Bryce is currently elgible for a donor kidney when the appropriate blood and tissue match is found for him.  Bryce will receive his life-saving kidney transplant at UNC Children's Hospital when a donor kidney becomes available, we are truly anticipating the call at any time!
      An estimated $40,000 is being raised by New Bern volunteers to help Bryce and his family through this exciting but difficult time and future expenses.  With the cost of a transplant often exceeding $500,000, many transplant patients 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-needy patients.   In New Bern, volunteers are raising funds for transplant patients like local miracle child Bryce Sparks.  Thank you for your support and prayers!