When we think of children with dietary challenges, we often picture those with food allergies, facing a world of confusion and discomfort. But imagine a child whose body not only rejects a few foods but reacts negatively to everything eaten. That’s the reality for one family as they search for answers and hope for their little one.
Meet Alex Thompson
Alex is a 16-month-old boy battling two incredibly rare and serious medical issues: Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES). A GoFundMe page dedicated to Alex explains, “These conditions have rendered Alex unable to eat. It’s something most of us take for granted. To put it simply, his tiny body rejects every morsel he attempts to consume, leading to severe and often life-threatening reactions. At nearly 17 months old, he relies solely on breastmilk and nibbles on ice chips.”
His situation has grown increasingly critical. A physician involved in his care shared with local media, “Alex doesn’t have many options left unless we can figure this out soon.” With his body rejecting all food, Alex has stopped growing. The one lifeline he has—soy and dairy-free breastmilk—is dwindling. Recently, he underwent surgery to place a PICC line for feeding. “Since Alex doesn’t have any safe foods, he had a bad reaction to his feeding tube, and he’s in the two percentile for his weight, which classifies him as ‘failure to thrive.’ The doctors, along with my sister and brother-in-law, agree this is the best course of action for Alex right now,” shared Alex’s aunt, Jenna Parker.
Urgent Need for Support
Currently, Alex’s health is urgent. He’s been through two different feeding tubes that haven’t worked, and his family is desperate for solutions. What do they need? Soy and dairy-free breastmilk.
The family is reaching out for donations of breastmilk or guidance from anyone who’s faced a similar situation. Any support at this time is vital. If you have milk to contribute, you can find more details on the Breastmilk for Alex Donor Page. Additionally, learn more about his journey on the page dedicated to his cause, Alex’s Army.
Additional Resources
On a side note, if you’re curious about home insemination, check out this blog post for more insights. There are plenty of resources available, including an excellent guide on infertility at the National Women’s Health website, which could be helpful for those on a similar journey.
Conclusion
In summary, young Alex Thompson is dealing with a rare condition that prevents him from eating anything solid. His family is in urgent need of soy and dairy-free breastmilk donations to help him thrive. If you can assist, please reach out!