09/10/2026
Remember 2-year-old Henry from Kingsport??? His family is celebrating a major step in their journey to get him a kidney transplant! đ
Living donor screening can now begin for Henry, and his family is asking people to share the word and consider applying to be tested.
Potential donors should be between the ages of 18 and 50. A-negative blood type is preferred, but other blood types are not automatically excluded.
Testing, transplant and recovery costs are covered by Henryâs insurance. Donor evaluations and surgery will take place at Cincinnati Childrenâs Hospital, with the evaluation requiring two days of testing in Cincinnati.
The donor process is confidential, and Henryâs family will not know who is being evaluated, where someone is in the process or whether they are a match unless the potential donor chooses to tell them.
Those interested in learning more or beginning the screening process can visit the link in the comments.
Applicants should be sure to include Henryâs full name, Henry Horton, and his date of birth, 11/15/2023.
Henryâs family says they are âbeyond excited to get this kid a kidney transplantâ and are asking the community to help spread the word.
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Meet Henry, a sweet 3-year-old from Kingsport who has already faced more in his young life than most of us could ever imagine. đ
Henry was born with renal agenesis and began dialysis when he was just 4 days old. Nearly three years later, he is still on dialysis and has endured a stroke from his HD line, meningitis, seizures and 159 days in the NICU.
His nurses lovingly named his NICU room âHenryâs Hive,â and that name has stuck. đ
Despite everything he has been through, his mom says Henry is one of the happiest little boys you will ever meet. His laugh is contagious, he has a BIG personality and he definitely isnât afraid to let you know exactly how he feels! He loves noise-making toys, throwing things just to hear them crash, and getting lots of kisses on his favorite spot near his collarbone. His family says heâs basically an old man in a 3-year-oldâs bodyâŚoften found relaxing with one hand behind his head. đĽš
Now, Henry is waiting for a kidney transplant that could completely change his life.
Because he has never had kidney function, Henry has depended on dialysis his entire life. Dialysis only replaces a portion of normal kidney function, leaving him with low energy and nausea. He also requires injections twice a week to help his body produce red blood cells.
His family is hopeful that a transplant will give Henry more energy and allow him to make huge strides in his development.
The transplant itself is covered by insurance, but Henry and his family will need to spend about two months in Cincinnati after surgery so they can remain close to the hospital during the critical recovery period. They are raising money to help cover lodging, food, groceries and gas as his dad travels back and forth to the area.
Theyâre starting this fundraiser now so they can be prepared when that life-changing call comes.
If youâre able to help Henry and his family, every donation will make a difference. And if you canât donate, they ask for something just as important: your prayers.